China is expected to import 240,000 tons of Brazilian beef in 2016, news portal Macauhub reported, quoting Brazilian press.

António Jorge Camardelli, President of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters (ABIEC), said the association expects demand for Brazilian beef in China to reach 20,000 tons per month next year. He added that according to current prices that would mean the value of Brazilian beef exports to China would be worth about US$1 billion in 2016.

“We are very optimistic about the resumption of negotiations with the Chinese authorities,” said Mr Camardelli, quoted by Macauhub.

China had suspended Brazilian beef imports with effect from December 2012 when a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE – also known as “mad cow disease” – was reportedly found in the South American nation. The ban was lifted when Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, announced in May – during a visit to Brazil – that China would resume buying Brazilian beef.

According to Macauhub, the President of ABIEC said Chinese authorities were expected to certify three cold stores later this year. That would mean that by year-end 14 stores in Brazil would be authorised to export beef to China, the media outlet reported.