Chinese ice cream and beverage chain Mixue has officially entered the Brazilian market with the opening of its first store in São Paulo, marking a new wave of investment by Chinese consumer brands in the country. The expansion highlights the growing economic complementarity between China and Brazil, particularly across supply chains and consumer markets.
According to the company, Mixue’s operations and partnerships in Brazil are expected to create up to 25,000 jobs by 2030. Following the signing of a strategic partnership agreement last year, the company is preparing to open additional stores and expand its localized supply chain, particularly in agricultural sourcing and food processing.
The store’s opening attracted strong local interest, with both Brazilian consumers and Chinese residents in Brazil flocking to try Mixue’s signature products, including its popular ice cream cones and tea-based beverages.
Mixue’s move reflects a broader trend of Chinese brands expanding into Brazil. Fast-fashion giant Shein has pledged to invest 150 million U.S. dollars to collaborate with 2,000 local factories, aiming to create 100,000 jobs by 2026. Meanwhile, Chinese automaker GWM launched its first South American manufacturing plant in São Paulo state in 2025.
Chinese direct investment in Brazil reached 4.2 billion U.S. dollars across 39 projects in 2024, doubling from the previous year and making Brazil the world’s third-largest recipient of Chinese investment. In addition, Mixue signed an agreement in 2025 to purchase at least 4 billion yuan (about 586 million U.S. dollars) worth of Brazilian agricultural products such as coffee beans and fruits over three to five years, further strengthening bilateral supply chain integration.
Industry experts note that the success of Chinese consumer brands abroad increasingly depends on building localized supply chains. This approach supports long-term market presence beyond short-term pricing strategies. Analysts also highlight that Chinese brands—characterized by youth-oriented positioning, cost-effective products, and franchise-based business models—are well suited to the Latin American market.
At the same time, Brazilian products and partnerships are gaining traction in China. Luckin Coffee opened its first Brazil-themed store in Guangzhou in 2025, while Brazilian mining giant Vale has partnered with a Chinese shipping company to develop low-emission tri-fuel vessels, underscoring deepening industrial cooperation.
China-Brazil trade reached a record 171 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, reflecting the evolution of bilateral ties from simple trade to investment, localized production, and integrated supply chains. Experts believe this strong complementarity will continue to drive long-term cooperation and mutual growth.
