Most markets reopened for Brazilian meat

Brazilian meat companies regained access this week to most of the export markets which restricted trading after federal police in Parana state said 21 companies trading in contaminated and adulterated meat were involved in bribing meat inspectors.

Hong Kong, the largest destination for Brazilian beef, has eased restrictions.

Brazil’s Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi said none of the 174 samples collected in 22 states since the scandal emerged showed evidence of meat unfit for human consumption.

Some kind of restrictions on imports from Brazil was implemented by an estimated 45 importing nations, ranging from increased checks to an outright ban, causing a 19% fall in Brazil’s weekly meat shipments.

The EU has sought more information from Brazil about its meat investigations.

The EU’s imports of beef from Brazil were 144,259 tonnes in 2014, 136,705t in 2015 and 140,566t in 2016 (equivalent to only 1.8% of the beef consumed in the EU).

In 2014, 116t, valued at €578,000, was imported into Ireland, falling to 70t worth €377,000 in 2015, and to 22t in 2016, worth €98,000.