Japan to inspect Brazilian slaughterhouses as beef market access talks continue
A Japanese delegation is set to visit Brazil to assess slaughterhouses as part of negotiations for beef exports. Bosnia and Herzegovina has also approved Brazilian beef imports, further expanding Brazil’s reach in global meat trade.
JAPAN – A Japanese mission will travel to Brazil to inspect slaughterhouses, the Brazilian government announced, as part of discussions to open Japan’s market to Brazilian beef and expand pork exports.
Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture stated that the visit is a crucial step toward gaining approval for beef exports and enhancing the scope of pork shipments to Japan.
However, the government did not specify the exact date of the delegation’s arrival.
During a meeting between the agriculture ministers of both countries, officials signed a letter of intent to cooperate on rehabilitating degraded pastures in Brazil.
The agreement aims to strengthen agricultural ties between Japan and Brazil, which is the world’s largest beef exporter.
Japan has also approved a revised system for managing avian influenza-related trade restrictions.
Under the new approach, export limitations on chicken and egg products will only apply to specific municipalities where outbreaks occur, rather than affecting entire states.
Brazil has never reported avian influenza in commercial poultry farms.
However, in 2023, cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were detected in non-commercial flocks in Espirito Santo, Santa Catarina, and Mato Grosso do Sul.
These outbreaks led to temporary state-wide trade bans.
Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina has formally granted market access to Brazilian beef after approving an International Health Certificate proposed by Brazil.
This decision comes as Brazil works to strengthen its presence in the European beef sector.
With a population of 3.2 million, Bosnia and Herzegovina relies on imports to meet its beef demand.
The approval allows Brazilian beef exporters to tap into this growing market.
Brazil currently supplies meat to over 150 countries and continues to seek new trade opportunities.
The latest market expansion follows negotiations led by industry leaders and government officials.
According to the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (ABIEC), the authorization was achieved through collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ApexBrasil, the country’s trade and investment promotion agency.
Earlier this month, reports indicated that Brazil was in the final stages of securing beef exports to Japan.
The talks have involved high-level meetings between Brazilian officials and Japanese agricultural authorities.
Roberto Perosa, ABIEC’s president and former Secretary of Trade and International Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture, traveled to Japan on February 8 alongside business representatives.
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