Friday July 11th, 2025

This year, the internationalization project of the Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivative Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas), in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), will explore new business opportunities, strengthen commercial ties and promote the diversity and quality of Brazilian fruits for the international market, with a focus on Asia.

Brazil has just taken an important step towards strengthening its presence in international trade with the inauguration of a new direct sea route between China and ports in the North and Northeast regions. The connection, which connects the port of Gaolan in China to the ports of Santana (AP) and Salvador (BA), represents a true logistical revolution: it reduces transportation time by up to 30 days and significantly reduces freight costs. The impact is direct on the competitiveness of Brazilian products, especially fruits, meats, cellulose and minerals, in addition to paving the way for the arrival of industrial and technological inputs from Asia.

This new route, nicknamed the “Golden Canal,” will shorten distances and also reposition Brazil on the international logistics board. The ports in the North and Northeast will play a strategic role, ceasing to be mere support points and becoming logistics hubs for exports and imports. Bahia, for example, is already feeling the effects of the change, with a significant increase in trade transactions with the Chinese market. According to the government, between January and March of this year, Bahia exported approximately US$1.2 billion to China and imported US$800 million in Chinese products. 

In this new scenario, the Port of Suape, in Pernambuco, is consolidating itself as one of the pillars of regional development. With robust investments in infrastructure, such as increasing the draft and dredging to accommodate large ships at any tide, Suape is preparing to operate with even greater volumes. A new project foresees the construction of two new piers to handle the flow of grains from Matopiba — a region that includes Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí and Bahia — and also to enable the export of green fuels, such as hydrogen and e-methanol.

These logistical and energy advances are also in addition to the connection with the Transnordestina Railway, which, when completed, will connect the interior of the Northeast to the main ports in the region, reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of the flow of agricultural and mineral production. With this, the Northeast will become a central, competitive, sustainable and highly strategic logistics corridor.

For Alexandre Duarte, Commercial Director of FERMAC CARGO, Brazil has been waiting for these new investments for years. According to him, in the current format, it is almost impossible to meet new demands efficiently. “In order to move forward, changes and structural contributions need to happen immediately,” commented the executive.

The new route with China and investments in the Port of Suape show that Brazil is beginning to think about foreign trade with greater geographic intelligence. By looking at the North and Northeast as key regions, the country expands growth opportunities and reduces historical inequalities. 

About Frutas do Brasil

Abrafrutas (Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivative Producers and Exporters), in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), is developing a project to support Brazilian exporters in their search for business expansion; opening new markets; recognition and differentiation of Brazilian fruits; and increasing the healthy habit of consuming tasty, high-quality fruits.

About Abrafrutas

The Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivative Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas) is a non-profit association whose purpose is to represent and promote Brazilian fruit production in the international market. Created in 2014, Abrafrutas has approximately 70 associated fruit producers and exporters and accounts for approximately 85% of the total volume of fresh fruit exported by Brazil.

About ApexBrasil

ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its objectives, the agency carries out diverse trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and enhancing the value of Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits by foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand. The Agency also works in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for developing the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.