Brazil Stock Guide – JBS SA (JBSS3) co-founder Joesley Batista said Brazil’s growing engagement with Southeast Asia under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to boost the country’s meat exports. Speaking to Folha de S.Paulo during the president’s trade mission to Indonesia and Malaysia, Batista noted that Brazilian beef is finally breaking into a region once dominated by the U.S. and Australia.
“We sell a lot here. We sell from the United States, from Australia, but not from Brazil. Now we’re starting to sell. Business will grow a lot here, trade will grow here. This region is growing fast,” Batista said.
Strategic expansion and diplomacy
President Lula attended the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, where he also met U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the 50% tariffs imposed on Brazilian meat. According to Folha, Joesley played a behind-the-scenes role in arranging the meeting after previously being received by Trump to address trade issues. He said that “differences can be resolved through dialogue between the two governments.”
The trip aims to diversify Brazil’s export markets and reduce dependence on the United States, a key move for JBS, the world’s largest meat processor, which has operations in several countries including the U.S. and Mexico.
Tangible results for agribusiness
Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro described the mission as highly productive, with Malaysia agreeing to open its market for powdered eggs, farmed fish, and extractive products. The two governments also agreed to shorten the suspension period for poultry imports following bird flu outbreaks from 12 months to just three — a major gain for Brazilian producers.
“It’s a very positive balance. Moreover, the opportunity for President Lula to meet President Trump is undoubtedly valuable. Advancing toward a trade deal between Brazil and the U.S. will benefit agribusiness and everyone involved,” Fávaro told Folha.
Corporate agreements and investments
In Jakarta, Wesley Batista, Joesley’s brother, signed a memorandum of understanding between JBS and Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Persero, paving the way for joint ventures and transaction deals. The family’s holding company J&F Investimentos also entered a partnership with state-owned power company PLN to explore energy cooperation projects.
Julio Ramos, director of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec), said the presence of over 30 Brazilian meat companies across the two countries shows how strategic Southeast Asia has become. “Indonesia has become a great market. Some plants were recently approved, and Brazil opened its offal market there. This relationship will bring more jobs and economic growth,” Ramos said.
Brazil strengthens its foothold in Asia
Batista emphasized that Brazil is finally becoming “well connected” with the Asian market, highlighting the role of Lula’s diplomacy in expanding the country’s reach. The mission aligns with the government’s broader goal of establishing Brazil as a reliable global supplier of high-quality, sustainable protein.
By deepening commercial ties with Indonesia, Malaysia, and other ASEAN members, Brazil positions itself to capture a larger share of one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for food demand.
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