SHANGHAI, China – On the second day of the official mission to China, Brazilian Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC), Geraldo Alckmin, signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) to promote Brazilian coffee in China’s largest chain of coffee-shops, Luckin Coffee, and to create an innovation hub in Shanghai.
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) organized the initiatives.
With over 16,000 shops in China, the Luckin Coffee chain is the country’s largest importer of Brazilian coffee.
Through this new partnership, Luckin committed to promote and sell Brazilian coffee to clients and partners, including the acquisition of approximately 120,000 tons of Brazilian coffee, valued at an estimated USD 500 million.
“In 2022, Brazil exported USD 80 million in coffee, a figure that nearly quadrupled to USD 280 million the following year. This new contract with Luckin Coffee alone represents half a million dollars in exports, showing that Brazil — the world’s largest coffee producer and exporter — is successfully accessing new markets,” celebrated the Brazilian Vice President.
ApexBrasil President Jorge Viana said this initiative exemplifies the agency’s export promotion programs, such as ExportaMaisBrasil, ExportaMaisAmazônia and ExportaMaisNordeste. Brazilian Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro noted that the country’s coffee production is constantly evolving with a focus on sustainability.
Alckmin highlighted that coffee is a viable alternative for small farmers, as it does not require too much land. “Coffee is a good income-generation option for family farming and organic producers. It is viable because it combines economic and social relevance,” said the vice president.
Speaking of sustainability, social inclusion and job creation, Luckin Coffee CEO Jinyi Guo said that over half of the chain’s employees are women under the age of 25.
