Brazilian beef exports to China should resume by Sept. 19, according to one meat trade analyst.
Exports to China were halted last week after two cows were confirmed with atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Investigations by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), however, found no additional problems and Australia’s ABC Rural reports the OIE has maintained Brazil’s “negligible risk” for BSE status.
Global meat trade analyst Simon Quilty told ABC Rural the OIE considered the issue resolved with not additional follow-up reports needed.
"(OIE) said the first cow found in Minas Gerais was a 10-year-old cow and the one in Mato Grosso was an 11-year-old cow,” Quilty said. “Both tested positive and atypical and as far as the OIE was concerned the issue was now over.”
That means beef trade between the two countries should resume quickly.
“Normally a 15-day trade protocol is expected between China and Brazil, so trade is expected to resume by September 19,” Quilty said.
Chinese beef importers had expected a quick resumption of trade, and continued making purchases this week despite the BSE cases, according to Reuters.
Brazil shipped more than 500,000 metric tons of beef to China from January through July this year, accounting for nearly 40% of China’s total beef imports, Reuters reported.
“We’re still buying, factories have to keep up their stocks,” Grace Gao, general manager at Dalian-based importer Goldrich International, told Reuters.
Brazil has shipped more than 500,000 metric tons of beef to China from January to July this year, or 38% of China’s total imports, Chinese customs data show, putting it far ahead of No.2 supplier, Argentina, which supplied just under 300,000 metric tons.
