The objective of the mission is to evaluate new producers and exporters units, to see whether they qualify to supply meat to the Asian market.

In all, the schedule takes in three pig plants and four poultry plants, which serve as reference sample for decisions on allowing a total of 15 poultry and pig plants to export to China.

If they qualify, the units will join the other 29 poultry plants and six pig plants that currently export to China.

There are also seven other poultry plants and one pig plant which have already been inspected, and are only awaiting the formalisation of vetting by the Chinese government.

This should happen during the next meeting of the Sino-Brazilian High-Level Committee, according to information received by the chief executive of ABPA, Francisco Turra.

"In an economic time quite complex to the country, meat exporters have advanced in the international market thanks to markets like China.

"With the conclusion of these qualifications, the Chinese will possibly consolidate second place in the ranking of chicken meat importers from Brazil," said Mr Turra.