The so-called Weak Flesh probe launched Friday by Brazilian police into the alleged bribing of federal inspection agents to clear the sale and export adulterated meat has taken a toll on the world’s largest exporter of beef and chicken.
As companies and the government scramble to contain the damage, several top foreign buyers announced suspensions and increased inspections. Exports plunged to just $74,000 on Tuesday, compared with the daily average of $63 million, according to Brazil’s Trade Ministry, a drop of 99.9 percent.
Here’s a list of the countries that have announced restrictions on Brazilian meat:
| CONTINENT | COUNTRY | ACTION |
|---|---|---|
| ASIA | China | Suspended beef and chicken imports |
| Hong Kong | Suspended frozen and chilled meat imports | |
| Macau | Suspended frozen meat imports, according to Xinhua News Agency | |
| Saudi Arabia | Increased inspections | |
| Qatar | Ordered ports to hold products until samples taken and analyzed | |
| South Korea | Temporarily suspended distribution, which has since been resumed | |
| Japan | Suspended imports from 21 plants involved | |
| AMERICAS | Chile | Temporarily banned imports |
| Argentina | Increased sanitary controls | |
| Uruguay | Suspended imports from plants involved | |
| Mexico | Suspended livestock imports | |
| U.S. | Delisted one plant | |
| Jamaica | Suspended imports, according to Folha de S. Paulo newspaper | |
| EUROPE | EU | Suspended meat, chicken imports from plants involved |
| U.K. | Increased border checks | |
| AFRICA | Egypt | Increased inspection rules, temporarily suspended permits on new imports |
| South Africa | Suspended meat imports from some companies |
