Brazilian SMEs Boost Export and Import Ventures Amid Growing China Trade
Workshops and expanding China trade highlight export and import growth opportunities for Brazilian small and medium-sized businesses amid challenges.
- • Sebrae/MS hosted workshops demystifying export processes for small businesses in Mato Grosso do Sul.
- • Brazilian medium and large companies doubled imports from China since 2008, with 19,393 active in 2024.
- • More than 20,000 micro and small Brazilian enterprises also import from China, often starting via the Canton Fair.
- • Tagima exemplifies the private label model with 95% of its products manufactured in Asia.
- • About half of medium-sized companies exploring China fail due to lack of planning, highlighting the need for clear strategies.
Key details
Between November 4 and 6, Sebrae/MS held a workshop titled "From Small to Global: Demystifying Exporting for Micro and Small Businesses" in Bataguassu, Três Lagoas, and Paranaíba. The event aimed to dispel the myth that exporting is only for large companies by educating entrepreneurs about fiscal incentives, market access, and competitive advantages. Ana Flávia Arrais, a Sebrae/MS technical analyst, emphasized that small businesses often lack "the correct information and motivation" to realize their export potential. The upcoming Estação Aduaneira Interior (EADI) customs station in Três Lagoas is expected to facilitate export processes, further encouraging small business internationalization. Meanwhile, a strengthening commercial relationship with China has enabled Brazilian medium and large companies to expand imports significantly; in 2024, nearly 19,400 such companies imported from China, doubling since 2008. According to the Brazil-China Business Council and the Ministry of Development, micro and small enterprises are also active, with over 20,600 involved in imports last year. Many start by attending the Canton Fair in Guangzhou and adopt business models including importing Chinese brands, white label, and private label production. Tagima, Brazil’s largest string instrument manufacturer, sources 95% of its products from Asia, illustrating the private label approach. However, about half of medium-sized Brazilian companies fail in China due to inadequate planning, noted consulting expert Bethania Barros, who highlighted growth potential in sectors like hospital equipment and cosmetics. Financial expert Henrique Chiarini stressed the importance of breaking export myths for small entrepreneurs. Together, these developments depict a vibrant but complex landscape for Brazilian SMEs navigating international trade, marked by new opportunities and the necessity for sound strategies.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.