China: vital partner and point of vulnerability

The influence of China on the Brazilian agribusiness has reached a new level in 2024, consolidating the Asian country as the main destination of exports and one of the largest suppliers of strategic inputs. According to a survey by Biond Agro, based on data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), China was responsible for 73.4% of the exports of soybean grains, moving over US$ 31.5 billion, part of a total soybean complex that amounted to US$ 60 billion in total revenue. The dependency is evident. Soybeans accounted for about 15% of all Brazilian exports, and China remains the main buyer also of beef, cotton, and agricultural derivatives. In 2024, the country absorbed 59% of the beef exported by Brazil, in addition to 19% of pork and 10% of chicken. In the textile sector, the Asian giant was the destination of a third of Brazilian cotton, moving US$ 1.7 billion. "China is undoubtedly the main commercial partner of Brazilian agribusiness, but this ...