Brazil wants Chinese investment in supply chains

Brazil is seeking investment from China in its ports and roads as part of efforts to improve the supply chain for agricultural products, Bloomberg reported. About one-fifth of the South American nation’s agricultural exports headed to China last year. The imports, dominated by soybeans, frozen meat and tobacco, were worth US$11 billion. Celio B. Porto, secretary of agri-business for international relations at Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, noted that the country lacked the capital to allow a smoother flow of goods to port. "The investments China has been making in Asia and Africa represent future production. Brazil’s competitiveness comes from having present production," Porto said. Brazil is seeking to benefit from recent food safety problems, such as the dairy scandal. Porto said there had already been a jump in demand for Brazilian dairy products and eggs.