The visit of a group of Chinese businesspeople and researchers to the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, on 3 February, kicked off a round of prospecting aimed at infrastructure and logistics projects, tourism, innovation and academic co-operation, in parallel with China's already established interest in the state's agribusiness. 

The mission is supported by the Invest MT agency with a schedule of technical meetings with representatives of business entities, state agencies, universities and the city council.

The starting point is a commercial relationship that already weighs heavily on Mato Grosso's GDP. In 2025, China accounted for more than 40% of Mato Grosso's exports, with purchases of US$ 12.29 billion, consisting mainly of soybeans (76.6%), meat (18.4%), cotton (3.6%), minerals (1.7%), sesame (1.4%) and other products. On the import side, China also leads as a supplier: in 2025, Mato Grosso imported US$ 769 million in Chinese products (29.33% of the total), mainly fertilisers (52%), pesticides (33%) and machinery and equipment (8%), items that are sensitive to agricultural costs and productivity.

(Source: Araguaia Notícia, on 4 February)