January 5, 2021

China suspends imports from Brazil's Aurora Alimentos pork plant over COVID-19 concerns

China has stopped imports from a pork plant in Brazil owned by Aurora Alimentos due to COVID-19 concerns, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply, as well as meat trade group the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), Reuters reported.

The ministry confirmed the suspension by China's General Administration of Customs on December 28, adding that China requested information about ongoing COVID-19 cases at the Aurora Alimentos pork plant located in of Chapeco town, Santa Catarina state.

APBA said it is supporting Aurora Alimentos and providing the ministry with information to reverse the export ban.

APBA said the COVID-19 cases were an isolated event in the past, with all information of the company's good practises and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols shared with Chinese authorities.

- Reuters