In May 2025, Brazil and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (2025-2030) for cooperation in the mechanization and modernization of family farming. The agreement was signed by Brazil’s Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (MARA).
The governments celebrated the agreement, which foresees an investment of R$27 billion for the modernization of the sector, including the import of agricultural machinery, implementation of renewable energy, digital platforms, and technical support from China. Brazil, in turn, will provide facilities and logistics for testing and local production of equipment, in addition to promoting joint ventures for domestic manufacturing of inputs. The cooperation also covers agro-industrial technology transfer, efficient irrigation in regions such as the São Francisco Valley, logistical support, startup exchanges, and livestock expansion.
China’s strategic move, considering its growing dependence on agricultural imports, especially soybeans, is aimed at ensuring food security through external investments. The cooperation projects in agriculture aim to scale sustainably, boost Brazil’s productivity, and promote joint ventures.
Brazil is an attractive market for plant genetics and phytogenetic resources, being one of the global leaders in breeding cultivars adapted to tropical and subtropical environments, particularly soybeans, corn, cotton, and sugarcane. Technological partnerships based on the licensing of protected cultivars could benefit China.
Brazil is also one of the largest markets for genetically modified (GM) seeds in the world. It has a well-established regulatory framework for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), making it a valuable partner for China in joint research, licensing of agricultural biotechnologies, and knowledge transfer in patent regulation and biosafety.
Brazil is making progress in promoting agricultural products with specific regional characteristics through geographical indications (GIs). For local Chinese products, this helps protect the reputation and identity of goods or services with unique attributes.
Moreover, China can benefit from technology transfer and licensing agreements for innovations developed in Brazil—particularly through Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, which has extensive experience in promoting international cooperation agreements.
Brazil also has a strong presence of agricultural startups (“agtechs”) that are eager to establish technological cooperation with Chinese companies, especially in areas such as farm automation, drones, remote sensing, and AI applied to agriculture.
