Brazilian beef exports already down by 30 to 40%
Export losses due to foot and mouth are estimated to reach US$ 500m this year alone, due to the ban by at least 50 countries. And with the disease now in at least five southern states, the loss of overseas sales will total US$ 1.1 billion for beef and US$ 600 million for pork, Minister of Agriculture Roberto Rodriguez told the country’s Congress last week.
But up to US$ 20 or 30 billion in foreign sales could be involved if the ban is fully extended to pork, (Brazil is the world’s third largest exporter), lamb, soybean flour, veterinary medicines and equipment and other commodities that could be considered a means of spreading foot and mouth.
