Service linking southern China to two Brazilian ports hailed as a boon for melon and grape exporters
Brazilian fruit association Abrafrutas has welcomed a new direct maritime route between the Port of Gaolan (Zhuhai), in southern China, and the Brazilian ports of Santana and Salvador.
At the inauguration ceremony for the new route held in Brasilia this week, Abrafrutas president Guilherme Coelho said: “This route was everything that grape and melon producers needed to start exporting to China. We are very excited about this new stage that will transform the presence of Brazilian fruit production in the Asian market”.
The new service could cut the journey time between China and Brazil by up to 30 days and reduce logistics costs by more than 30 per cent, making Brazilian fruit more competitive on the Chinese market.
The new route reflects the strengthening of relations between Brazil and China, intensified with the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Brazil at the end of 2024 during which the opening of the Chinese market to Brazilian grapes was officially announced.
China’s ambassador to Brazil, Zhu Qingqiao , highlighted that the new route is part of the implementation of the agreements signed between the two presidents and represents a strategic move in light of the current tensions in global trade.
“China and Brazil are two positive forces for stability and prosperity in the world. And we will continue to expand and deepen cooperation,” he said.
Brazil is a leading producer of table grapes. One of the main production areas, the São Francisco Valley, has sought to consolidate itself as a supplier to demanding markets such as Asia.
In 2024, Brazil exported around 59,000 tonnes of grapes worth around US$151mn, mainly to markets like the Netherlands, US and UK.
One of the highlights of the event was the countdown at the end, with images of a cargo ship leaving Gaolan Port bound for Brazil.
