China suspends imports from Brazil’s BRF Mato Grosso do Sul plant without prior notice

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Chinese government has suspended pork and poultry imports from BRF’s Lucas do Rio Verde (MT) unit, according to a statement on China’s General Administration of Customs’ (GACC) official website published on Tuesday, August 3.

According to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, issues in the shipment of products to the Asian country would have prompted the decision.

In a statement, BRF said it learned of the decision through the GACC website and that it will take appropriate measures and “work to reverse the situation with the Chinese and Brazilian authorities.”

However, the company stressed that it has not yet been officially notified of the suspension. “BRF reiterates its confidence in its rigorous food safety and quality processes and reaffirms its commitment to continue improving internal controls to ensure the highest quality and safety standards.”

According to the Ministry, the information came from a Chinese authority after the embargo was published on GACC’s official website. “The company will prepare an action plan to prevent such events from occurring again and this information will be forwarded to the Chinese authorities with the appropriate promptness,” it added in the statement.

The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein producers (ABPA) said that it will assist BRF in reversing the import suspension of its Lucas do Rio Verde unit. “ABPA underscores the industry and BRF’s high quality standards and the excellence of Brazilian products exported to over 150 nations on 5 continents, supporting the food security of millions of people worldwide,” it said, adding that it is confident that exports to the Chinese market will be re-established soon.

BRF’s plant in Lucas do Rio Verde was cleared to export to China in September 2019 and also produces for South Africa and Canada. It is one of the company’s units whose operation is 100% digitalized and undergoes continuous investment. Early last month the company announced that it will invest R$670 (US$130) million in the Mato Grosso operation, between the Lucas do Rio Verde and Nova Mutum plants, to modernize and expand production.

Ministry tries to intervene

The Asian country has been suspending purchases from meatpackers in several countries since last year. The justification would be increased sanitary control due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The last suspension of a Brazilian meatpacking plant occurred in September last year, albeit temporarily. At the time GACC suspended the purchase of a Minerva Foods beef plant for a week.

The relations of meatpacking plants with China have been discussed by the sector with Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina. Last week she met with sector representatives to discuss new accreditations.

Also last week, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that China had agreed to resume its review of applications for qualification by Brazilian meatpackers. According to the note, this had been suspended since the start of the pandemic, with GACC more focused on preventing and controlling Covid-19.

At the time, the Ministry also said that 56 plants are awaiting review for qualification by the Chinese government, but in order to continue the process they are required to update technical information, including controls implemented to prevent the coronavirus.