China Suspends Meat Imports from Two Brazilian Companies

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – China has temporarily suspended meat imports from two Brazilian companies, Brazil’s agriculture ministry said late on Friday, December 11th.

Earlier on Friday, newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo said China halted imports from privately-owned Naturafrig Alimentos Ltda and Plena Alimentos after detecting traces of coronavirus in food packaging.

Brazil’s agriculture ministry confirmed the suspension but did not provide any further details. Naturafrig and Plena did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Since the coronavirus pandemic started, Chinese authorities have temporarily banned imports from other Brazilian purveyors, including BRF SA and JBS SA. Some of the suspensions have been already lifted.

Citing the Chinese customs authority, the O Estado report said that the ban would last one week.

Related coverage: Brazil Prosecutors Sue Maersk, Seek to Freeze US$200 Million · Amazon Logistics Reaches Brazil to Compete with Federal Postal Service · UK and Brazil to Boost Economic Relationship · Analysis: COVID-19 Could Cause Over 2.7 Million SMEs in Latin America to Close

More: Brazil news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief