Brazil’s poultry, pig producers concerned over Russian import ban

The presidents of Brazil’s poultry union, UBABEF, and pork producers’ and exporters’ union, are calling for urgent measures in response to Russia’s decision to revoke recognition of slaughterhouses in three of the country’s states.
The Russian ban extends to some 80 slaughterhouses and was imposed following inspections that resulted in concerns over monitoring contaminants. Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture has said that its staff will be fully mobilized to overturn the decision.
Russia is an important market for Brazilian poultry exports. Last year, Brazil exported 144,300 tons of poultry meat to Russia, with a value of US$249.5 million. Between January and April 2011, Russia imported 29,700 tons of Brazilian poultry meat, worth US$53 million.