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Global agriculture company Cofco International has marked the beginning of construction on the STS11 agriculture terminal at the Port of Santos in Brazil. The new terminal will expand the company’s own port capacity in Brazil from 3 to 14 million tonnes. Operations are scheduled to commence in phases between 2025 and 2026. Cofco International is the overseas agriculture business platform for the Chinese food and agriculture company, Cofco Corporation. The company employs more than 11,000 people in 37 countries and aims to create a “world-class global agri-business”, leading in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. With a strategic location on the State of São Paulo coastland, the Port of Santos is the largest in Latin America connecting over 600 ports in 125 countries. Almost 27% of Brazil’s trade balance ($112.3 billion) passes through the port, according to Santos Port Authority. Cofco International held a ceremony on 8 August to mark the beginning of construction, attended by representatives from the Santos Municipal Government, Santos Port Authority and other Chinese companies in Brazil. The company said the expansion reinforces its commitment to the Port of Santos and sustainable development of Brazilian agriculture, enabling the creation of more jobs in Santos and providing more choice and long-term support to Brazilian farmers and local communities across the country.