World meat industry news

According to Brazil's agriculture department (MAPA), negotiations with the US on mutual opening of markets for chilled and frozen beef are expected to be completed by the end of the first half of the year.

Tatiana Palermo, International Relations Secretary at MAPA, said there are still negotiations on health underway to enable Brazil to export fresh beef to the United States.

The secretary pointed out that Brazilian cattle produce a healthy, low-fat meat, meeting consumer trends in more selective markets in the world like the US.

The negotiations between the two countries will result in the definition of an International Health Certificate model to support the product shipments to the United States.

Last year, the US published a rule allowing importation of fresh beef from 13 Brazilian states and the Federal District, after MAPA chief Katia Abreu negotiated the end of a 15 year restriction.

The US is the largest producer and consumer of beef. In 2015, the country produced 10.9 million tonnes, or 18.58 per cent of the global total of 58.4 million tons. Americans consume 11.4 million tons per year, or 20.2 per cent of world consumption of 56.5 million tons.

In the period 2011-2015, imports of US fresh and frozen beef grew at around 67 per cent, from 933,000 tons to 1.56 million tons. Brazilian officials said this demonstrated the potential of the US beef market.

About 12 per cent to 15 per cent of the meat consumed in the US is imported from other countries, because other countries often produce leaner products from animals fed on pasture. American cattle often produce meat with a high fat percentage, meaning they are mainly used in the production of ground beef, especially hamburgers.

Brazil is the world's second largest producer and the largest exporter of beef in the world.

"The country is an example to the world of how to produce sustainably, ensuring product quality and scale able to supply any consumer market in the world," Tatiana Palermo said.

"It is expected that the opening of the US market will be another step towards the aim of the country's agriculture sector to consolidate as the largest and best meat producer in the world," said the secretary.