Fireside chat by IBRAFE at Qingdao Pulses Congress/
Brazil positions beans for a larger role in China

Brazil exported a record 534,000 tons of beans to more than 70 countries last year, while domestic consumption of around 2.6–2.7 million tons provides a strong base for further production growth. IBRAFE sees potential to increase output from roughly 3 million tons today to around 3.5 million tons if market demand and supply programs create sufficient visibility for growers. Multiple growing regions, different crop cycles and irrigation also allow Brazil to produce a broader range of varieties, including black, carioca, red kidney, light speckled, alubia, pinto and navy beans, creating opportunities to supply specific market requirements rather than compete solely on volume.

For China, the opportunity could lie in products with differentiated characteristics, particularly higher-protein beans suited to the expanding plant-protein segment. Panelists highlighted the importance of developing varieties around Chinese requirements for size, flavor, color, consistency and chemical residue controls. Brazil is also building supply-chain capabilities around these opportunities, with companies working directly with growers on seeds and inputs before handling cleaning, processing and logistics. Cooperatives can add further scale and consistency by bringing together farmers across different regions and production cycles. Direct vessel connections between Brazil and China also offer a logistical advantage, with shipments able to reach the market in less than a month. Meanwhile, Brazilian authorities are working with Chinese counterparts to finalize the requirements for market access and the accreditation of Brazilian exporters.

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