November 4, 2005

Brazil loses US$68 million in beef export sales October

The Brazilian beef industry lost US$68 million in exports October due to FMD, and is expected to lose another US$100 million in sales in November, according to estimates by Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters executive director Antonio Camardelli.

By year-end, sales should only amount to US$2.77 billion, a US$230-million reduction from an earlier forecast.

FMD was first detected in Mato Grosso do Sul herds at the beginning of October and led to 49 countries suspending Brazilian meat imports.

Following a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply Roberto Rodrigues, and representatives of the local meat supply chain and other government health officials, Camardelli announced it necessary to expedite the measures adopted to combat the FMD.

He also suggested that health officials from other countries be invited to observe measures that Brazil has adopted, to demonstrate that FMD is confined to "a small part of a country of continental dimensions".