Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of beef, on Tuesday described as “historic” the Mexican government’s decision to open its market to Brazilian beef, since the North American country imports nearly a million tonnes of this product a year. .
The opening was crowned on Monday by the publication of the respective animal health requirements demanded by Mexico and the disclosure of a list of 34 Brazilian meat factories authorized to sell to this country from this week without restrictions or quotas.
“This is a historic moment for Brazilian trade relations, especially for beef. Brazil is showing the power and greatness of its livestock,” Brazilian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Fávaro said. quoted in a press release from the ministry.
Beef export negotiations began 12 years ago and concluded a month after the two countries agreed to expand the North American market to Brazilian pork.
According to the agreement, Mexico will be able to import fresh, chilled or frozen beef from fifteen Brazilian states free of foot-and-mouth disease, including Santa Catarina, a region certified by the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO).
“We are having a good time. The mood of the world is more favorable to Brazil since the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said the Minister, recalling that this year Indonesia has also opened its market to Brazilian beef and China. eliminated the suspension imposed on certain refrigerators.
Brazil expected the agreement to be signed last week, but the process was delayed because authorities preferred to wait for confirmation that the mad cow case detected in February in a cow on a ranch in the Amazon is atypical and does not represent a health risk.
This confirmation also allowed Brazil to resume its meat exports to China, its biggest customer, which had been temporarily suspended due to this case of mad cow disease.
According to the Brazilian press, the opening of the market was facilitated by the Mexican government’s interest in adopting measures to combat rising food inflation.
According to data from the Brazilian Association of Refrigerators, Brazil exported 2.34 million tons of beef last year, a volume 26% higher than in 2021, for which it received an income of 13,090 million. dollars, a value 42% higher than the previous year. .
Last year, 110 countries increased their purchases of Brazilian beef and 57 others reduced them. Among those who increased their demand, China stood out, which is the first destination, with 53.3% of the market, followed by the United States and Chile.