A Brazilian coffee-growing cooperative, Minasul, has plans to establish a base in China to market its coffee elsewhere in East Asia, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese government-run news agency quotes a Minasul executive, Luis Henrique Albinati, as saying: “We want to set up an office in China that would also serve as a hub for other countries in the region.”

Mr Albinati said Minasul intended to invest in know-how to increase its output of coffee.

“We think the Chinese can be our partners in this process, which would benefit not just Minasul members, but coffee producers throughout Brazil,” he said.

The report says Minasul has over 7,000 members in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

Minasul is among the 87 Brazilian businesses invited to attend the China International Import Expo in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, Xinhua says.