Negotiations for pecan exports first began in 2019
Brazil can now export pecans to China, following the approval of sanitary and quarantine requirements by Chinese authorities.
The protocol between Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China was signed on 6 June following five years of negotiations.
The agreement was finalised during an official mission led by vice president and minister of development, industry, trade, and services, Geraldo Alckmin, accompanied by minister of agriculture and livestock, Carlos Fávaro, other ministers, and Brazilian government delegations.
“Since President Lula’s return to power, relations with China have improved,” Fávaro said in press release. “China is the largest buyer of Brazilian agricultural products, so we expect to continue expanding commercial relations and announcing new market accesses soon.”
According to the Brazilian Pecan Institute (IBPecan), China buys 45,000 of the world’s 320,000 tonnes of pecans produced annually. Brazil is currently the fourth-largest producer of pecans, behind the US, Mexico, and South Africa. Rio Grande do Sul accounts for about 70 per cent of Brazil’s production.
Pecans currently represent 3-4 per cent of the global market for nuts and seeds. It is estimated that the opening of the Chinese market could generate business exceeding US$1m, according to Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
With this announcement, Brazilian agribusiness has achieved its 63rd market access this year.
