The move was confirmed after JBS and Alibaba’s subsidiary Win-Chain signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at China’s International Import Expo this week.
JBS described China as one of its biggest export destinations and said the deal represented a significant part of its growth strategy in the Asian market.
JBS’ Beef Brazil CEO Renato Costa said the business understood the complexities of the Chinese market and that it had large-scale production capabilities that could serve local demand.
The meatpacker is expected to deliver its first shipment of products within 30 days.
“This deal will significantly expand our beef business and build further value for the Friboi brand, which we launched in China during the China International Import Expo. We have developed products based on packaging, cuts and portions specifically designed for the Chinese market,” said Costa.
“Our brands are increasingly being recognised for the high quality and safety of the food we produce, with product traceability and a sustainable production process – issues of increasing importance to consumers. They will be available across a variety of channels for either corporate customers – retail and foodservice – or end-consumers.”
Before the deal was agreed, the company had previously conducted tests with Alibaba to serve demand for e-commerce packaging and meat cuts.
This is not the first time JBS has tapped China’s e-commerce market after its business unit Seara agreed an exclusive partnership with another Chinese business JD.com to market its pork earlier this year.
Earlier this week, Alibaba Win-Chain also sealed a €300m deal with pork processor Danish Crown for weekly deliveries of pork to the processor’s new factory in China for five years.
