August 10, 2006

Russia to lift ban on meat from Brazil's Mato Grosso

Russia Thursday will lift a ban imposed on pork and beef imports from the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, news agency Prime-Tass said Wednesday (Aug 9), citing Russia's Agriculture Ministry.

The ban was imposed after outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the country.

Producers will be able to start shipping meat produced after Jul 1, the ministry added.

The ban on imports from Mato Grosso was imposed in December along with meat imports from five other states--Parana, Sao Paulo, Goias, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul. Prior to this Russia had also imposed a ban on pork and beef imports from the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Russia is one of the biggest meat importers in the world, and Brazil is keen to raise its market share in that country. Last year, around 14 percent of meat exports from Brazil went to Russia.