Brazil expands beef exports

The world’s second-largest beef producer, is catering to buyers in Israel, France, Hong Kong and other countries after major export markets barred shipments citing health concerns, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Antonio Russo, a Brazilian meat baron and head of Independencia Alimentos Ltda in Anastacio, Brazil, now exports to more than 50 countries and recently brought in 13 Orthodox Jewish rabbis to obtain kosher certificates that helped him capture 20% of the Israeli meat market, the journal said.

Brazil’s meat exports have tripled since 1998 and the Latin American country this year will probably overtake Australia as the world’s top exporter of beef, the Journal said, citing the US Department of Agriculture.