China and India trust in South America as supplier (ENGLISH)

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During his lecture, Lin Tan remarked the exponential growth that China has experienced in the past 35 years after the great economic reform the country conducted in 1978. He also recalled the recent economic and social reform introduced a week ago by the Chinese government that will affect the country in the next decade including the agricultural industry. The consultant noted that his country seeks for greater environmental protection while having to deal with the limited availability of land and the steady increase in demand for food. Soy is the main commodity that China demands in an increasing rate since 1995. He explained that the Asian giant produces 50 percent of the world’s pork production so the supply of soybean is fundamental in order to cover its swine feeding program. To end, Lin Tan stated that "the new reforms will benefit South America in the next 20 years as China's demand will not stop and South America is seen as our major supplier."

On his turn, Mr. Khulbe also stressed the commercial relations with the region as he considered it "a natural ally of India in terms of satisfying our demand for food and soybeans."

Meanwhile, Paludo focused on global production and demand for soybeans. During his lecture, he made it clear that Brazil is on its way to become the world's largest soybean producer, as the South American nation is expected to overtake the United States in 2013/14 thanks to an estimated crop of 88 million tons. However, Paludo recalled that in order to meet the global demand, the region will have to increase its soybean production by 51 million tons being the lack of land the main problem to overcome. Finally, the official warned that 2014 will bring lower profitability due to oversupply and the rising production costs.

Mr. Porto also referred to the great role Brazil is playing as an agricultural producer and its constant growth in the soybean industry. Likewise, the former official noted the challenges that the constantly increasing global demand represent, and encouraged farmers and governments to invest more and more in biotechnology in order to face the increasing lack of natural resources as technology is the only possible way for producers to increase their production and meet the demand.