October 23, 2007

Russia to allow beef exports from Brazil's Paranagua port

Russia has lifted its ban on beef shipped from Brazil's Paranagua port, Brazil's Agriculture Ministry announced.

The port was banned from exporting to Russia in May. Before the ban, roughly 90 percent of the port's beef shipments went to Russia. Russia is Brazil's largest beef export market.

Brazil's food safety official, Inacio Kroetz, said Russia's veterinary federation has given the approval to restart exports. Seven Brazilian meat packers in Mato Grosso, Sao Paulo and Tocantins would soon restart exporting beef to Russia as well.

Previous bans by Russia were enacted on the basis of food safety issues or alleged faked certificates.