South Africa could be among the countries facing a surge in imports of Brazilian poultry, beef and pork if a European Union ban on Brazilian meat comes into effect in September.
Brazil is the world’s largest meat exporter and the EU is a major market. Brazil has until 3 September to demonstrate compliance with the EU ban on growth-promoting antimicrobials.
Brazil is frantically trying to meet that deadline.
The EU insists that all meat imports comply with the same standards required of EU producers. Brazilian producers say they already comply, and the issue is about proving government oversight not food safety.
However, they are taking no chances. Brazil’s poultry and beef exports to the EU are rising rapidly ahead of the deadline. Speculation is that EU importers are stockpiling to ensure they have supplies while negotiations continue.
If the ban goes into effect, Brazil will be looking for alternative markets for its meat products, including poultry, beef and pork, and South Africa will be on that list.
