January 2, 2006

Ukraine partially lifts ban on Brazilian meat imports

Ukraine has authorised the importation of fresh meat from Brazil, except meat produced in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Parana.

According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, as of Nov 17, Ukraine had suspended meat imports from Brazil after FMD was discovered in the second half of 2005.

Brazilian meat exports to Ukraine in 2004 amounted to 84,600 tonnes and generated revenues of US$88.9 million. In the first half of 2005, meat shipments to Ukraine totalled 15,200 tonnes, worth US$23 million.

Besides being able to resume sales to Ukraine, Brazil will also be permitted to participate in an eventual public bidding process sponsored by the Ukrainian government to build up its current beef and pork stocks, which currently stand at 41 percent of the planned level.