According to a technical note by Brazil's Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) and China's Evergreen Environmental Institute (EEI), Brazil was China's main supplier of soya beans, maize, beef, chicken meat and cotton in 2025.

The country accounted for 73% of China's soya bean imports, 59% of maize, 56% of beef, 43% of chicken meat and 42% of cotton. Of the 111.8 million tonnes of soya beans purchased by the Chinese market that year, around 82 million came from Brazil.

The study identifies opportunities for cooperation in sustainable supply chains, traceability, technological innovation, financing and low-carbon production. It notes that the stability of these chains depends on the environmental and climatic conditions of Brazil's producing regions, above all in the Amazon and the Cerrado.

According to the document, the two countries have already begun technological cooperation to develop cross-border traceability systems. The note also cites the Sino-Brazilian CBERS space programme as an example of collaboration and points to opportunities in the mechanisation and digitalisation of family farming.

The authors advocate stronger institutional integration, economic incentives and mutual recognition of traceability systems. They conclude that combining traceability, sustainable intensification of production and financing for low-carbon agriculture could reduce deforestation risks, strengthen climate resilience and bring greater stability to food supplies.

(Source: Amazon Environmental Research Institute, 14 October)