China has opened the market for Brazilian dairy products. the Chinese enabled 24 Brazilian establishments to export products such as milk powder and cheese. The announcement was made by Minister Tereza Cristina (Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply) on July 23.

The minister stressed that the opening of the market will boost the milk production chain. "I think this is exceptional news for the dairy sector, which is going through a very difficult and hopeless moment. And that brings hope for the dairy industry," he said.

There are currently 1.2 million small dairy farmers in Brazil. "I was very happy and I would like to pass this good news to the Brazilian producers, who are having a hard time, just lost R$ 0.30 in the liter of milk, and now they will have the perspective. Of course, it is not for tomorrow, but it is an excellent opening for Brazil". 

Tereza Cristina pointed out that "Brazil has always wanted to have access to the Chinese market, in order to be able to take the product from Brazil, including improving the price of Brazilian farmers."

Certification had been agreed with China since 2007, but there was no Brazilian plant authorized the export. In her trip to the country in May, the subject was one of the minister's priorities. "Brazil is a major producer and China is the largest importer in the world. Brazil produces 600 thousand tons of milk powder, but China imports 800 thousand tons of the product, 200 thousand tons more than we produce."

Earlier, in April this year, the ministry had forwarded the list of 24 establishments to the Asian country. Products that may be exported include non-fluids such as milk powder, cheese, and condensed milk." Brazilian cheeses can be exported and thus regulate the Brazilian milk market," said Tereza Cristina.

Exports

With the qualification of establishments, the sector is expected to export US$ 4.5 million in cheese, estimates Viva Lácteos - Brazilian Dairy Association. In 2018, the Chinese imported 108,000 tons in cheese. Importation of the product has grown at an average annual rate of 13% over the past five years. 

Brazilian cheese exports have grown by 65.2% in the last three years. Prior to the opening of the Chinese market, the sector had already been investing in the entry of products in China through participation in fairs. 

The information is from the Mapa.

Source: www.milkpont.com.br