China likely to increase meat imports from Brazil

China may increase meat imports from Brazil following high-level talks scheduled to take place next month.

Chinese ambassador to Brazil, Yang Wanming, refused to confirm the number of Brazilian meat processing plants that would receive approval to export their products to China.

The number of plants would be discussed during Brazilian Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias’s visit to China next month.

The export permissions for facilities will be announced during Brazilian vice-president Hamilton Mourao’s visit to China in May.

Yang said: “We believe through the cooperation of both countries’ agriculture ministries and quality inspection departments, more Brazilian farm and animal products can be imported into the Chinese market.”

Almost 80 Brazilian meat processing plants may receive permission to export their products to China.

Brazil is reported to be one of the largest exporters of soybeans and beef in the world.

The Chinese Government increased tariffs on US soy products in response to the Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese products. Due to trade tensions between the two countries, China significantly increased soy purchases from the Brazilian market.

Analysts warn that recent talks between the US and China to ease tensions might impact the Chinese demand for Brazilian soy, however, Yang believes that that Chinese demand will remain stable.