Mexico authorized 34 Brazilian slaughterhouses to export beef to the country as of this week, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA).
The Mexican government had already announced on Monday (6th) the opening of the market for the Brazilian product, through the publication of sanitary requirements establishing the conditions for the shipments.
The country allowed imports of fresh meat from Santa Catarina, which is recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) as a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone.
In addition, another 14 states will be able to sell matured and boneless meat to the country – Bahia, Distrito Federal, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Rondônia, São Paulo, Sergipe and Tocantins. Among them, four are free of FMD without vaccination and 10 are free with vaccination.
Exporters expect that shipments will start immediately, without any tariff barriers or quota restrictions that could limit foreign sales.
Mexico imports approximately 1 million tons of meat per year, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture during the authorization process.
Negotiations to export Brazilian beef to Mexico began more than 12 years ago. In February, the country had already allowed the import of fresh pork meat.