September 1, 2008

Russia resumes beef imports from Brazil's Goias state

Russia has started to accept beef from Brazil's centre-west state of Goias, Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture said in a press release late Friday (August 29).

Russia placed a ban on beef from Goias on June 27, after health issues were discovered with livestock in the north of the state.

Goias state accounted for 25 percent of the Brazilian beef exports to Russia in the first six months of 2008. Exports totalled US$184 million in the period January to June.

While Russia's doors have been opening to Brazilian beef imports, the doors slammed shut to US chicken exports this week.

Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian food quality watchdog, recently said the 19 US poultry plants would be de-listed for export to Russia.

Credit Suisse, in an equity research note, said that although this move could be political due to the US stance against Russia on Georgia, it is also part of a longer-term move by Russia to wean itself away from its dependence on US chicken.