In recent years, the relationship between Brazil and China has gained new layers of complexity and strategic significance. What began as a trade flow centered on commodities has evolved into a broader collaboration involving food security, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture. As global demand shifts and climate challenges intensify, cooperation between these two leading agricultural actors helps to shape the future of the world’s food production and consumption.
US$ 60 billion in exports and a more diverse trade agenda
According to Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), agribusiness exports to China reached US$ 60 billion in 2023. Soybeans still lead the export list, but recent years have brought greater diversification. Products such as corn oil, peanuts, and Dried Distillers Grains (DDG), a nutrient-rich byproduct used in animal feed, are gaining importance in the Chinese market. This shift reflects both the adaptability of Brazilian production and the appetite for new products among Chinese buyers.
Brazilian meat gains ground in China
In the protein sector, the partnership deepened with the approval of 38 new Brazilian meat plants for export to China. More than half of Brazil’s beef exports are currently shipped to Chinese ports. The growing presence of Brazilian meat in China results from sustained efforts in quality control, sanitary standards, and certification processes. According to MAPA, this is not just about volume—it is about credibility, traceability, and alignment with market expectations.
Coffee enters a new phase in bilateral trade
Brazilian coffee is also entering a new phase in China. In 2025, an agreement between MAPA and ApexBrasil set the stage for the export of 240 thousand tons of coffee by 2029. Worth US$ 2.5 billion, the deal marks a turning point. With rising interest in coffee culture among younger Chinese consumers, Brazil’s position as the world’s largest coffee producer is being leveraged to offer traditional and specialty products tailored to new preferences.
Food security and sustainability guide future cooperation
Besides trade, the agenda now includes joint food security and sustainability measures. The Brazil-China Dialogue on Food Security, held in 2025, highlighted common priorities in biotechnology and low-carbon agriculture. Brazil’s experience with bioinputs, tropical seed technologies, and climate-resilient farming models is increasingly relevant as China seeks to ensure reliable and sustainable food supplies. According to MAPA, cooperation in these fields is expected to expand in the coming years.
A long-term alliance with global impact
The connection between Brazil and China reflects a broader shift in global food systems—one where trade is increasingly linked to innovation, climate resilience, and mutual strategic interests. In 2024, the two countries celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations, a milestone that underscores the depth and continuity of this alliance and signals its relevance for decades to come. As the partnership increases and deepens, it offers lessons on how two agricultural world leaders can align capacities to address both immediate market demands and long-term global challenges.