December 1, 2020

BRF's Lajeado, Brazil pork plant authorised to resume exports to China

Major Brazilian meatpacker BRF SA said its Lajeado pork plant has been authorised to resume exports to China, following an inspection by Chinese authorities, Reuters reported.

The plant was affected by a COVID-19 outbreak among its 3,000 workers in May. According to a statement by BRF, the plant will resume exports to China in the coming days.

China's increased testing of COVID-19 coronavirus traces on imported food products have resulted in trade suspensions, resulting in major food-producing countries growing frustrated as some say China's actions are equal to a trade restriction.

According to Brazil's Agriculture Ministry's website, three other Brazilian meat plants remain prohibited from exporting to China due to coronavirus concerns. These plants are based in Rio Grande do Sul state.

Two of the plants are owned by another major Brazilian meatpacker, JBS SA, one processing poultry in Passo Fundo town and another processing pork in Tres Passos. The other meat plant is owned by Companhia Minuano de Alimentos, a poultry plant also located in Lajeado.

BRF's Lajeado unit was suspended from exports to China since July. BRF currently has 14 meat plants that have been permitted for exports to China, with 10 being poultry plants and four being pork plants.

A BRF chicken plant in Dourados was suspended from exports to China earlier this year, but the decision was reversed in a few weeks.

- Reuters