Sao Paulo, January 30, 2019 – JBS has confirmed it will be attending the second edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is considered China’s biggest business fair. In 2019, the company plans to increase the size of its stand by 50%, from 100 to 150 m². It plans to present the full portfolio from all of its businesses, including JBS Carnes, Seara, JBS Novos Negócios and JBS Australia.
“The first edition of the fair exceeded all our expectations. We signed Memoranda of Understanding – MoU – which could be worth more than US$3.4 billion over the next several years, benefiting all JBS businesses. After launching the Friboi brand in China and expanding the partnerships we have built up in 2018, we believe this market will present further growth as we pursue additional deals throughout 2019 and at the next edition of the fair”, said Renato Costa, CEO of JBS Carnes.
“We arrived in China over 10 years ago and the fair was a very positive opportunity for Seara. We signed a number of new distribution agreements and expanded our sales channels, in addition to further consolidating the company’s reputation as one of the world’s biggest players. More specifically, we increased our share of the retail and foodservice channels in 2018, attracting new, full-time distributors who will be focusing on our product portfolio. In addition to expanding these sales channels, we have initiated major e-commerce partnerships with two of the biggest operators in this area in China. Importantly, online commerce already represents more than 20% of overall sales in China”, explained Joanita Maestri Karoleski, Seara CEO.
This year, JBS hopes to prospect for new business during the fair and expand on existing partnerships with Chinese customers, expanding its portfolio in each of its sales channels. China is currently one of JBS’s biggest export markets and represents over 20% of all company exports.
During the Business Forum that was organized during the second edition of the China International Import Expo, held last December at the Hotel Intercontinental in São Paulo, JBS executives had an opportunity to share their impressions of the fair with other Brazilian executives.
During the event, Chinese officials and representatives, including China’s consul general in São Paulo, Chen Peijie; deputy director-general of the CIIE bureau, Sun Chenghai; and Zhang Xinyuan, from the bank of China’s Brazilian affiliate, mentioned the historic deals JBS signed during the first edition of the CIIE. In addition to signing an MoU worth US$1.5 billion with Alibaba, the company also signed a number of major agreements with other Chinese partners, such as Unifood, Grand Farm and CP.
During the CIIE, JBS was also named one of the deputy chairs of the fair’s Exhibitors’ Alliance, alongside seven other members. The committee, whose members are 20 major global players, is expected to be a platform for developing an environment supportive of new partnerships focusing on the Chinese market.
The second edition of the CIIE will be held in November 2019 at the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center, focusing on five main themes: Food, Consumers, Equipment, Health and Services. Over 270,000 m² will be available indoors and an additional 30,000 m² available outdoors where exhibitors will be able to prospect for new business in one of the world’s biggest markets.
About JBS
JBS is one of the world’s leading food industry companies with approximately 230 thousand employees in over 15 countries. The Company owns a portfolio of brands that are acknowledged for their excellence and innovation, including Friboi, Moy Park, Pilgrim’s Pride, Primo, Seara, Swift, Gold’n Plump and others, serving over 350,000 customers of more than 150 nationalities worldwide. The company’s focus on innovation also reflects its management approach to related businesses in areas such as leather, biodiesel, collagen, personal hygiene and cleaning products, natural wrappings, solid waste management solutions, metal packaging and transportation. JBS has adopted best sustainability practices throughout its value chain and constantly monitors its suppliers using satellite imagery, georeferenced maps of supplier farms and monitors official data from government agencies; the company also focuses on the highest possible food safety and quality standards. The success of JBS’s operations is closely tied to our Animal welfare practices, which are rigorously applied and have received an increasing share of investments to further improve the Company’s efforts in this area, in line with best practices.
JBS
Corporate Communications Department
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