Brazilian exhibitors attending the SIAL Shanghai, a well-known international food and beverage trade fair, say they are looking to export more of their agricultural products to China.
The exhibition, running from Monday to Wednesday, has attracted 25 Brazilian companies from the livestock, beverage and dairy industries.
Luis Rua, Brazil's Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, was at the official opening of the Brazil pavilion on Monday and said Brazil is ready to support China amid global trade tensions. He mentioned Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's recent visit to China.
Lula paid a state visit to China on May 10-14 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He led a group of Brazilian business leaders to China to forge new partnerships with Chinese entrepreneurs, particularly in areas like infrastructure, mining and energy.
"Brazil is this reliable supplier. Brazil is a friend of China. As we saw last week in Beijing, President Xi and President Lula have a very good cooperation and friendship, so we believe that we can support China if China needs more products from the world," Rua said.
China is already Brazil's largest market for agricultural products such as beef, soybeans and corn.
Brazilian exporters enthusiasm stems from the growing market in China. With more deals signed between the two countries, more Brazilian products will be available to Chinese customers.
"It's not the first time that we show, but it's the first time that we can sell to China. We have been bringing Brazilian sesame to China for the last four years to show Chinese people that we can make it so that they want to buy it, and then finally we can sell it," said Pietro Schisler, global account manager of Arbaza Alimentos, a Brazilian export company.
"Acai is a very well-known ingredient, but we have very other powerful ingredients too from Amazon rainforest," said Bruno Kato, CEO of Horta da Terra, another Brazilian company at the exhibition.
Brazilian exhibitors in Shanghai eye more agricultural exports to China
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
