Global Sustainable Trade Milestones
China Receives the First Shipment of Beef from Brazil
Kalin Ned — December 4, 2025
A significant commercial transaction — one that is being referred to as "a milestone for global sustainable trade" has been documented wherein a consignment of beef from Brazil, certified as originating from properties free of recent forest clearance or land-use change, has been delivered to China. The announcement was delivered on Forest Action Day (Nov 18) at COP30.
The independently verified deforestation and conversion free (vDCF) beef went through evaluation by "BDO which also audits MBRF, the exporting company in Brazil." BDO relied on the Boi na Linha protocol and the DCF criteria developed by WWF and partners to ensure the beef "undergoes strict traceability from origin to slaughter." In doing so,, the entities ensure that the goods are not coming from "deforested or embargoed areas, protected regions or Indigenous lands, while maintaining full socioenvironmental compliance."
