Brazilian Beef expands trade routes and strengthens ties with the Chinese market
In another strategic step to consolidate the presence of Brazilian beef in the world's largest importing market, the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) are holding, this Sunday (November 2nd), the third edition of the project The Beef and Road: Bridging the Brazil–China Beef Routes, in the city of Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province.
This initiative continues the efforts to promote the sector, focusing on expanding commercial activities to the interior of the country and bringing Brazilian companies closer to new consumption and distribution hubs outside major centers such as Beijing and Shanghai.
Cooperation and corporate presence
For this edition, ABIEC signed a cooperation agreement with Henan Dingshenghe International Trade Co., Ltd. (DSH), represented by Kelvin HJ, a supporter of the event's local organization.
The event also has the support of the Henan provincial government and is expected to bring together around 100 Chinese and 40 Brazilian businesspeople, all members of ABIEC, as well as local authorities, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).
The program includes business meetings, cultural presentations, and the traditional Brazilian Beef Dinner, featuring premium cuts prepared by a Michelin-starred chef and paired with Brazilian wines.
The event's dinner will be prepared by renowned chef Yingzhong Shi of the Lanxuan restaurant, recognized for innovatively integrating the traditional flavors of Henan cuisine into his creations. Under his leadership, Lanxuan has won prestigious awards, including the Black Pearl Two Diamonds (2018–2021), One Diamond (2022–present), and a Michelin Star in 2025, establishing itself as one of the leading gastronomic references in the region.
“The Chinese are getting to know the taste of Brazilian beef in more detail. We are promoting direct contact between buyers and sellers. And what's more: people don't need to travel from city to city. This work by ABIEC, in partnership with Apex, avoids all that, brings buyers and sellers together in the same space, and business happens. That's why I'm very happy that we are helping those who work and produce in Brazil to sell their meat in China,” said the president of ABIEC, Roberto Perosa.
Participating in this edition of The Beef and Road are 27 companies associated with ABIEC, including 3R Frigorífico Júnior, Astrafoods, Barra Mansa, Beauvallet, Best Beef, Better Beef, Boi Bras, Cooperfrigu, Frialto, Frigoestrela, Frigon, Frigosul, Frisa, Iguatemi, JBS, Marfrig, Masterboi, Mercúrio, Minerva, Naturafrig, Plena, Prima Foods, Ramax, Rio Maria, RXM, Sudambeef, and Supremo. This broad participation demonstrates the sector's representativeness and the continued interest of Brazilian industries in strengthening trade ties and opening new business opportunities in the Chinese market.
Zhengzhou: a new strategic hub
With a population exceeding 12 million, Zhengzhou is one of China's main logistics and consumer hubs, connecting trade between the east and the interior of the country. The city is reaffirming itself as a strategic point in consolidating Brazilian beef in the Asian market.
Other editions of The Beef and Road project were held in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, and in Nanjing, strengthening the regional expansion strategy and diversification of distribution channels.
ABIEC's agenda in Zhengzhou also includes participation in the China-LAC Business Summit, a forum that brings together government and business representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean with Chinese authorities and investors.
Bilateral trade and Brazilian leadership
Brazil is the world's largest supplier of beef to China, accounting for approximately 50% of all imports to the Asian country. Currently, 67 meat processing plants (SIFs) and 31 companies associated with ABIEC are authorized to export to the Chinese market.
Between January and September 2025, Brazil exported 1.15 million tons of beef to China, generating US$6.06 billion in revenue, representing increases of 38.7% in volume and 75.8% in value compared to the same period in 2024.
This year, China accounts for 48.8% of total revenue from Brazilian beef exports and 47.3% of the volume shipped, consolidating its position, for the fifth consecutive year, as the main and most important destination for Brazilian beef—far ahead of the United States (10.4%) and Mexico (4.1%).
With the advancement of The Beef and Road project , the expectation is to expand its geographic and commercial reach, consolidating the image of Brazilian beef as safe, flavorful, and sustainable, and reinforcing Brazil's position as a reliable partner for global food security.
Next stop: CIIE 2025
Immediately following the event in Zhengzhou, ABIEC will participate in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2025 in Shanghai, from November 5th to 10th, one of the world's largest import fairs.
Participation is in partnership with ApexBrasil, MAPA, the Brazilian Embassy in Beijing, and the Consulate General of Brazil in Shanghai.
ABIEC will bring 20 member companies, joining 17 other Brazilian companies from the food and beverage sector, with an expected revenue of over US$280 million.
ABIEC exhibitors will be at the Business Pavilion, which will also feature the traditional Brazilian barbecue by Barbacoa, one of the most popular attractions among visitors to the fair.
Organized by the Chinese government through the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the CIIE is recognized as the world's leading national import fair, bringing together more than 3,500 exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of visitors. Since its inception in 2018, the event has welcomed more than 3,400 companies from 128 countries and approximately 800,000 visitors.
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