Beef prices likely to soar as FMD ban hits Brazil

FOOT and mouth in Brazil is likely to trigger a major jump in the world price for beef, which will have major consequences in the EU, which can only produce about 95% of its requirements.

Brazil’s huge beef exports are 2.243 billion tons per year - nearly as much as all of its competitors combined - leaving a huge shortfall in world market supply when there is an export ban.

Sources in Brazil have warned that their loss of output could drive international beef prices so high that the foot and mouth ban will be short-lived.