COFCO, founded in 1949, has developed from a single grain and oil import & export company to one of the world’s leaders in agricultural trade, logistics, processing and production, feeding nearly a quarter of the world’s population.

In February 1949, the predecessor of COFCO, North China Foreign Trade Company, was established in Tianjin. September 1949. In September, North China Foreign Trade Company was split into North-China Cereals Company, China National Oils & Oilseeds Company, North-China Egg Products Company, North-China Bristles Company, North-China Leather & Fur Products Company, and North-China Native Product Company and so on.

In 1949, Business Registration Certificate for Import & Export of North China Import Company, the predecessor of North China Foreign Trade Company, was established in Tianjin.

With the founding of New China in October 1949, the branches of North China Foreign Trade Company were moved to Beijing gradually and reorganized to national trade companies. On March 10th, 1950, the 23rd session of the Government Administration Council (the predecessor of the State Council) passed the Measures on Unification of National Trade and decided to set up national trade companies.

North-China Cereals Company, China National Oils & Oilseeds Company, North-China Egg Products Company, North-China Bristles Company, and North-China Leather & Fur Products Company were reorganized as state-owned enterprises and renamed China National Cereals Corporation, China National Oils & Oilseeds Corporation, China Egg Product Corporation, China National Bristles Corporation, and China National Leather & Fur Products Corporation respectively. The above mentioned companies moved their headquarters from Tianjin to Beijing. In April 1951, China Egg Product Corporation, China National Bristles Corporation, and China National Leather & Fur Corporation merged together and became China National Animal Products Corporation.

Foreign trade companies were reorganized by the Chinese government. China National Cereals Corporation and China National Oils & Oilseeds Corporation were reorganized as the China National Cereals Export Corporation and China National Oils & Oilseeds Export Corporation. The foodstuffs businesses were also separated from the China National Animal Products Corporation and were established as the China Foodstuffs Export Corporation.

The founding of New China inspired the development of more national projects and further need for funding. COFCO focused on developing its export business of agricultural products for foreign exchange and played a pivotal role in funding national construction. 

China and Sri Lanka signed a “Five-Year Trade Agreement with Regard to Rice and Rubber Exchange” in Beijing. In 1953, two contracts were signed regarding rice exchange for rubber between the two countries. In the following 20 years, COFCO involved in the execution of “Rice Exchange for Rubber Agreement” between the Chinese and Sri Lanka governments, gaining crucial strategic supplies for China.

China National Cereals Export Corporation and China National Oils & Oilseeds Export Corporation were merged to China National Cereals, Oils and Oilseeds Export Corporation.

The newly-founded China began its economic development with foreign currency remaining scarce. COFCO became more active in trading with the former Soviet Union, and other countries in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and increased Chinese access to foreign currencies through exports of its grain, oil, and foodstuffs.

Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, COFCO continued the grain trade with the former Soviet Union, and other countries in Eastern Europe, and Asia primarily through similar inter-governmental trade agreements and barter trade. COFCO maintained a principled balance of imports and exports, and greatly improved China’s foreign trade activities.

With further growth of its foreign trade business, COFCO set up a number of individual production bases throughout China to increase agricultural production. Meanwhile, COFCO established industrial standards and installed dedicated plants and workshops for processing, cementing its role as the foundation and driving force in Chinese agricultural industry. 

In early 1950’s, the Corporation raised export of China’s canned food in both volume and speed as assigned by the government with its unremitting efforts. By building new canned production bases and industry standards, COFCO greatly increased domestic production and expanded export of canned goods. 

COFCO began its foreign trade with exporting grain, oil, and foodstuffs. By 1960’s, COFCO had expanded to an extensive import and export business for cereals, oils, and foodstuffs, with over 3,000 clients in over 120 countries. 

Since 1950's, COFCO has participated in non-governmental trade with Japan and executed four Sino-Japan Non-governmental Trade Agreements as the first hard move. In 1960's, COFCO carried out two Sino-Japan Long-term Comprehensive Trade Memorandums and accomplished targeted export volume to Japan. On September 29, 1972, China and Japan signed a joint statement declaring the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. As one of the implementers of the Sino-Japanese trade agreements and memorandums, COFCO played an active role in the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

COFCO has been serving as the main channel for China in trading agricultural commodities such as wheat, corn, rice, and sugar for a long time. It has played an active role in balancing domestic grain supply and demand, regulating grain varieties, restraining market prices, and ensuring market supply.

In the 2nd half of 1960, Chaojin LIU of China Resources Co., Ltd. signed the first wheat import contract with Canada under the name of Liang LIU, which kicked off grain import by a large volume by China. The picture is contract signed with Canada on wheat import by Chaojin LIU under the name of Liang LIU on behalf of COFCO in 1961.

China suffered from severe economic hardship and serious food shortage, affecting urban and rural residents throughout China. To relieve the tension in food supply, COFCO imported grain, oil and foodstuffs urgently from Canada, Australia, France, Argentina, Mexico, and other countries. The Corporation also secured a sugar import contract with Cuba, importing large amounts of raw sugar to meet domestic demand.These emergency imports of grain and raw sugar were crucial to gap the domestic shortage, meet people's needs, and recover and further grow agricultural and industrial production of China.

By merger of China National Cereals, Oils and Oilseeds Export Corporation with China Foodstuffs Export Corporation, China National Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Import & Export Corporation was established and mainly engaged in the import and export of agricultural commodities such as grain and oilseeds as well as foodstuffs. COFCO has been China’s primary channel for trade of wheat, corn, rice, sugar, and other bulk agricultural products in the next several decades.

Beijing Export Building,  COFCO's headquarter office from 1961 - 1991.

In 1961, The Export Contract of Soybean and other Products to Cuba by China National Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Import and Export Corporation.

“Three Express Trains” have begun, bringing fresh and frozen foods from Wuhan, Shanghai, and Zhengzhou to Hong Kong and Macau every day. In the following 40 years, with the efforts of generation of COFCO people, the “Three Express Trains” have been operated smoothly and punctually. They were considered as three major trade arteries, exporting fresh food to Hong Kong and Macau continuously, which not only enriched the baskets of food of the six million residents in Hong Kong and Macau for the four seasons, but also ensured their economic development and social stability.

COFCO set up a number of individual production bases for the export of agricultural and sideline products. It also supported the establishment of a series of plants and workshops specialized in processing of products for export. By doing this, COFCO developed more marketable export commodities, increased the supply of exported products and further optimized processes through more efficient and balanced planting and breeding structures. It has a far-reaching impact on the development of local economy and improvement of the livelihood of the Chinese people for generations.

COFCO entered into a wine consignment agreement with the US-based Schlegel Corporation to introduce wine to the Chinese domestic market. Coca-Cola returned to the Chinese market after 30 years being away and became a best-selling drink in China through a consignment deal with COFCO.

In accordance with international standards, COFCO became the first domestic producer of white wine in 1970’s and red wine in 1980’s.

Asia Wine Cellar of Huaxia Great Wall Wine in Changli, Hebei Province, the largest underground granite cellar in Asia.

The decision of the higher authorities to reform China’s foreign trade system and decouple the branches was delivered by the Corporation at a National Manager Meeting on Cereals, Oils, and Foodstuffs Systems at Fragrant Hill Hotel in Beijing.

China reformed its foreign trade systems and decoupled the branches with headquarters in grain, oil and food industry. COFCO transformed from a single foreign trade agency into several state-owned enterprises.

COFCO held its Third Overseas Enterprise Conference in Beijing and proposed the strategic goal of a comprehensive, multi-functional and international corporation for the first time.

Beijing Jingxin Mansion, COFCO’s office in Beijing from 1991 to 1996.

As China developed the socialist market economy, COFCO speeded up its traditional production and processing businesses, including edible oil, flour, rice, wine, malt, beverages, and metal packaging and further expanded to real estate development and financial services. 

In 1992, Hangzhou MC Packaging Co., Ltd. was established.

In 1997, COFCO took control of the company and renamed it as Hangzhou COFCO-MC Packaging Co., Ltd.

In 1993, COFCO East Ocean Oils & Grains Industries (Zhangjiagang) Co., Ltd. was established and in 1997 it was put into operation and became one of the world’s largest integrated grain and oil processing base.

COFCO acquired two Hong Kong listed companies: COFCO International Limited and Top Glory International Holdings Limited.

COFCO Flour Industry (Qinhuangdao) Pang Thai Co., Ltd was established. 

COFCO Plaza, Beijing. COFCO’s office building from 1996 to 2009.

COFCO was transformed into a wholly state-owned enterprise and changed its name to China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Import & Export Corporation (Group) Co., Ltd.

COFCO and the Canadian Wheat Board held a joint reception in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the beginning of trade between China and Canada.

COFCO entered the insurance business and established Aviva-COFCO Life Insurance Co., Ltd. together with Aviva PLC, an UK Insurance company.

COFCO implemented the strategy of building a fully-integrated value chain, making its main business bigger and stronger and furthering competitive advantage.

COFCO changed its name to China National Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Corporation (Group) Co., Ltd. and China Native Produce & Animal By-Products Import & Export Corporation (TUHSU) was merged into COFCO.

COFCO (Jiangxi) Rice Limited, the Asia's largest and only parboiled rice processing plant in China, was established in Jinxian County, Jiangxi Province.

COFCO merged Xinjiang Tunhe Investment Co., Ltd. and entered the tomato sauce and beet sugar processing industry.

COFCO merged Xinjiang Sifang Sugar (Group) Co., Ltd.

COFCO acquired 37.03% of the equity in China Resources Biochemical (600893), 100% of the equity in China Resources Alcohol, and 20% of the equity in Jilin Fuel Ethanol. In the following year, COFCO took control of BBCA Biochemical and entered the biomass energy industry.

China Grains & Oils Group was merged into COFCO.

Shenzhen Baoheng (Group) Co., Ltd. changed its name to "COFCO Property (Group) Co., Ltd. and became the capital operations platform of COFCO Property.

COFCO changed to its current name to COFCO Corporation.

COFCO International Co., Ltd. was split into China Agri-Industries Holdings Limited and China Foods Limited with the former one listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

COFCO opened its first large commercial complex, the Beijing Xidan Joy City.

COFCO Meat Investment Co., Ltd. was established.

COFCO Malt（Jiangyin) Co., Ltd. began operation.

COFCO Trust Co., Ltd. opened.

COFCO became the largest shareholder of Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Company Limited.

COFCO's online food E-commerce website "Womai.com” began operation.

CPMC Holdings Limited was officially traded on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

COFCO Fortune Plaza, the current office building of COFCO.

COFCO acquired 350 hectares of vineyards in and around Colchagua, Chile's central valley. In February 2011, COFCO spent 100 million RMB in the acquisition of Chateau de VIAUD in Bordeaux region, France.

Five COFCO Industrial Parks in Xi'an, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Tianjin and the Yellow Sea were successively launched.

COFCO Nutrition and Health Research Institute laid the foundation in the Future Technology City in Beijing.

COFCO completed its acquisition of Tully Sugar, Australia's fourth largest sugar refinery.

China Grains & Logistics Corporation was merged into COFCO as a wholly-owned subsidiary. On December 30th 2013, COFCO Trading Ltd. was established with the merger of COFCO Agri-Trading & Logistics Co., Ltd. and China Grain & Logistics Corporation.

COFCO Land Holdings Limited was listed in Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

COFCO accelerated its Global Strategy by acquiring two international agricultural enterprises: Noble Agri and Nidera. This linked COFCO to global food supply and demand and made it become a leading international grain trader that has global layout and manages the grain business as core business.

In the future, COFCO will further strengthen its core businesses of grain, oil, sugar and cotton, optimize global distribution, increase its control of origination, and serve the national macro-control of grain supply and food safety.

From 2014 and onwards, by merging Noble Agri and Nidera, COFCO speeded up its international strategy to become the leading international grain trader.

Santos Dry Bulk Export Terminal of COFCO Agri in Brazil.

USA Constanza elevator of Nidera in Romania.

China Huafu Trade & Development Group Corporation was merged into COFCO as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Chinatex Corporation was merged into COFCO as a wholly-owned subsidiary Meanwhile, COFCO initiated its reform as the pilot of the state-owned investment company.

Witnessed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, COFCO signed the 2018 trading memo on importing rice from Cambodia with Cambodian Ministry of Commerce.

COFCO ranked No.1 on the list of Top 500 Chinese Enterprises with Outstanding Social Responsibility in 2017.

COFCO ranked No.1 on the list of Top 100 Chinese Agricultural Enterprises with Outstanding Performance on Global Cooperation.

Hu Chunhua, vice Premier of State Council and Head of CPAD visited the Saibei Farm of Modern Farming, a subsidiary of Mengniu Dairy.

COFCO won the title as Senior Sponsor of SCO Tsingtao Summit.

COFCO senior team appointment: Mr. Lyu Jun was appointed to be the Chairman and Secretary of Party Leadership Group.

Being on Fortune 500 list for 25 years consecutively, COFCO ranked No.122 in 2018.

COFCO Chairman Lyu Jun was invited to attend the 4th Eastern Economic Forum, which was held in Vladivostok Russia.

Hu Chunhua, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice Premier of State Council, visited Mengniu Dairy Ulanhot subsidiary and Fuyuan Xing’an Farm.

COFCO participated the 1st China International Import Expo (CIIE). 10 subsidiaries of COFCO signed agreements with 57 foreign counterparts with total deal size over RMB 10 billion.

Cai Qi, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and Chen Jining, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Beijing, visited COFCO plaza for city renewal projects.

Witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Portuguese Prime Minister António Luís Santos da Costa, COFCO landed its Center of Excellence on Portugal.

COFCO won the reward of 2018 Chinese Enterprises with Remarkable Network Influence.

The Great Wall Wine, Fortune and Xiangxue were rewarded as Chinese Satisfaction Brands.

COFCO won the title as 2018 Most Influencing New Media Account among Chinese State-owned Enterprises.

COFCO Chairman Lyu Jun was invited to attend the 2019 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (Davos Forum).

COFCO International won the Reward for Outstanding Contribution to Sino-Swiss Relations.

Cofco Property officially changed its name as Grandjoy and had been finished the restructuring with Joy City Property as well.

COFCO and Shenzhen Stock Exchange held ceremony in Shenzhen for restructure and rename of Grandjoy, and signed a framework agreement on strategic cooperation between COFCO and Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

COFCO Chairman Lyu Jun was invited to attend the opening ceremony of 2nd B&R Forum for International Cooperation and B&R Entrepreneurs Meeting.

Witnessed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, COFCO signed the 2019 trading memo on importing rice from Cambodia with Cambodian Ministry of Commerce.

The Center of Excellence of COFCO International started business at Porto, Portugal.

COFCO held mobilization meeting of Remain True to our Original Aspiration and Keep our Mission Firmly in Mind.

COFCO President Yu Xubo was invited to attend the opening ceremony of the 13th Summer Davos Forum in Dalian.

Being on Fortune 500 list for 26 years consecutively, COFCO ranked No.134 in 2019, which topped all listed grain enterprises worldwide.

COFCO achieved the evaluation of Double A by SASAC.

After signing an agreement with the training department of General Administration of Sport of China, Fortune, Joycome and Chinatea became the supporting products for national athletes.

Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, together with COFCO President Yu Xubo, visited Far Eastern regions of Russia to inspect agricultural plantation, breeding and processing, during the 5th Eastern Economic Forum which was held in Vladivostok Russia.

COFCO imported Lithuanian wheat from Lithuania for the first time.

COFCO was evaluated to be A-level during the performance evaluation for State-owned enterprises leaders for the year of 2018 and the period from 2016 to 2018.

COFCO participated in 2nd CIIE (China International Import Expo).

COFCO Chairman Lyu Jun was invited to attend a series of BRICS leaders’ meetings in Brazil.

COFCO held celebration for its 70th anniversary in Beijing, and its theme was Loyal to the Nation for 70 years, Embark on a New Journey to Benefit the People

COFCO ranked No.208 on the list of Top 500 Global Brands issued by World Brand Lab. Among all the 40 Chinese brands listed COFCO ranked No.15.

COFCO was elected to be a standing council unit of China Alliance for Scientific Literacy.

COFCO won the titles as 2019 Most Influencing New Media Account among Chinese Enterprises and 2019 Most Influencing New Media Account among Chinese State-owned Enterprises.

The bulk corn imported from Bulgaria for the first time by COFCO was cleared and released by customs.

COFCO ranked top in the "2019 Top 100 Enterprises in the National Agricultural Products Processing Industry" released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

As soon as getting relevant information on Wuhan epidemic prevention and control, COFCO urgently mobilized daily necessities to ensure the supply and applied for green channels for transporting the necessities like rice, flour, edible oil, sugar, meat and dairy products, making every effort to arrange materials and fully support Wuhan. 

COFCO provided grains and edible oil for the Wuhan Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals under construction.

COFCO quickly adjusted production in accordance with the requirements of "keep working to maintain production and supply" to guarantee the supply of medical alcohol and fuel ethanol to Hubei Province. 

COFCO resumed production to ensure stabilized prices, consistent quality and adequate quantity, making every effort to ensure the supply of daily necessities such as rice, flour, edible oil, meat and dairy products throughout the country, especially to Hubei Province. 

The first 10,000-ton shipment of soybeans by COFCO from Russia has been successfully loaded.

COFCO was rated “Good” for its work in Paired-Up assistance in poverty alleviation campaign in 2019, ranking in the top tier among the SOEs. 

Lyu Jun, Chairman of COFCO, attended BRICS Business Council 2020 held online. 

COFCO ranked 136th on the Fortune Global 500 List in 2020, marking its 26th consecutive year being on the list. 

COFCO signed cooperation agreements valuing more than 10 billion yuan ($1.57 billion) in total at the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).

Wang Shixue, Deputy General Manager of COFCO Wuhan Meat Product Co., Ltd., was awarded the title of National Advanced Individual at the National Commendation Conference for Fighting COVID-19. 

3 individuals and 1 collective of COFCO were commended as the Advanced Individual and Advanced Collectives of SOEs for their acts in fighting against COVID-19. 

COFCO Finance Co., Ltd. completed the first RMB cross-border trade settlement. 

COFCO attended the 3rd China International Import Expo (CIIE). 

Luan Richeng was appointed as President of COFCO. 

COFCO’s renowned brands, including Fortune, Great Wall, China Tea, Jiugui Liquor and others, were selected as the TOP brand of CMG's 2021 "Brands Empower China" project, which demonstrates COFCO’s commitment to building itself as the national brand name card.

COFCO ranked 198th on the 2020 "The World's 500 Most Influential Brands" list. 

COFCO Fortune Co., Ltd. signed the reorganization agreement. 

COFCO and China Media Group (CMG) achieved strategic cooperation. 

COFCO delivered grain & oil products to Macao Liaison Office on time, successfully coordinating the supply and fulfilling the food requirements.

The Poverty Alleviation National Summary and Commendation Conference was held in Beijing. Li Guowei, the cadre of COFCO sent to aid Tibet and the deputy secretary of Luozha County, was awarded the National Advanced Individual for Poverty Alleviation; Poverty Alleviation Office of COFCO Trading Co., Ltd. and COFCO Joycome (Jilin) Co., Ltd. were awarded the National Advanced Group for Poverty Alleviation.

COFCO successfully issued commercial paper of “Rural Revitalization” (RVN) valuing RMB 2 billion, marking the first RVN issued by SOEs.

COFCO attended the U.S.-China Agriculture Roundtable and shared the ideas with counterparts on promoting agricultural cooperation and expanding trade in high-protein products.

The COFCO Fortune released the brand concept of " Home is a Fortune" and the "Fortune-Centered Ecosphere " strategy. The six key products under COFCO Fortune’s two high-end sub-brands - "Yingyangjia" and " Jiaxiangwei", also presented themselves on stage for the first time.

"2021 China Food Consumption Trends White Paper" complied by COFCO Nutrition and Health Research Institute was officially released.

COFCO attended Inauguration of China-Europe Business Council.

COFCO, as the initiator and member of the 1st council, participated in the opening ceremony of the Consortium of Innovation China.

COFCO attended ChainMaker Major Achievement Conference as one of the originating entities that initiated the ChainMaker Ecological Alliance.

COFCO successfully completed supporting tasks for commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and relevant activities.

In front of the rare and severe rainfall in Henan province from July 18th to 21st, COFCO made quick response to mobilize resources like rice, noodles, edible oil, meat, dairy products and drinking water, guaranteeing the dining safety of our people with continuous supply, stabilized price and consistent quality. On July 23rd, COFCO made donation valuing RMB 20 million to the disaster-stricken areas in Henan province.

COFCO ranked 112th on the Fortune Global 500 List, marking its 27th consecutive year being on the list.

COFCO attended BRICS Business Forum 2021.

COFCO attended the 21st China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen.

COFCO Engineering & Technology Co., Ltd. (301058.SZ) was officially listed on the capital market.

COFCO attended Strategic Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony to Serve Rural Revitalization jointly held by SASAC, Central SOEs and Agricultural Bank of China.

COFCO rushed to the rescue at the epidemic outbreak in Xi'an, giving full play to the fully integrated value chain of COFCO, ensuring the supply to stabilize the market and warm the hearts of the people.

COFCO contributed to the success of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics with logistics services.

COFCO Coca-Cola’s first factory in Guizhou officially started operations.

COFCO was graded “A” in SASAC’s business performance assessment for management of central State-owned enterprises serving the 2019-2021 term and in year 2021, as well as in the assessment of key tasks of the three-year-reform-campaign for central State-owned enterprises.

the Party School of COFCO was unveiled.

COCFO made the Fortune Global 500 list for 28 consecutive years, ranking No.91, up by 21 places than that in 2021.

COFCO donated RMB 30 million to the earthquake-hit areas of Luding, Sichuan.

COFCO topped the list of Fortune’s most admired Chinese companies in 2022.

COFCO made China’s first bulk shipment import of Brazilian corn.

COFCO Fortune secured a strategic investment of 21 billion yuan in China’s largest private equity financing deal in 2022.

COFCO imported feed corn from South African for the first time in China.

construction officially commenced for COFCO International’s terminal STS11 at the Port of Santos in Brazil.

COFCO Oils & Oilseeds held the 30th Anniversary Celebration Event of the Fortune brand & the Launch of the Brand Revitalizing Campaign in Beijing.

COFCO initiated its emergency supply response system to support earthquake relief efforts in Jishishan, Gansu.