China Approves Four New Brazilian Meat Processing Plants for Export(Oct 8)

China Approves Four New Brazilian Meat Processing Plants for Export

New Approvals Cover Two Beef and Two Poultry Facilities

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock announced on the evening of Tuesday, September 29, that the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has approved four new Brazilian meat processing plants to export meat products to the Chinese market, including two beef processing plants and two poultry processing plants.

According to the press release, the two facilities approved for beef export are: Supremo Carnes, located in Carlos Chagas, Minas Gerais state (MG); and Masterboi, located in Canhotinho, Pernambuco state (PE). The two poultry facilities newly approved are: Avivar Alimentos, located in Sao Sebastiao do Oeste, Minas Gerais state (MG); and Dalia Alimentos cooperative, located in Arroio do Meio, Rio Grande do Sul state (RS).

Safeguard Quota Triggered Simultaneously

On the same day as the announcement, China's Ministry of Commerce simultaneously declared that Brazil had reached the beef quota set under the safeguard measures established at the end of last year. For the remainder of 2026, Brazilian beef arriving at Chinese ports will be subject to a 55% additional tariff, effective October 1. In addition to the safeguard tariff, a 12% import duty will also apply.

The Brazilian government is currently seeking to use remaining quotas from other countries. It has been disclosed that Beijing previously rejected this request. On September 21, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated that Uruguay had agreed to allow Brazil to use its remaining quota. "I thank Uruguay for authorizing Brazil to use the remaining portion of its beef export quota to China," Lula posted on the X platform. However, Uruguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the country had agreed to submit an application to Beijing for using the remaining quota, but the final decision rests entirely with the Chinese authorities, who have not yet responded on the matter.

Broader Context of China-Brazil Meat Trade

The GACC also updated its "List of Meat Products from Countries or Regions Meeting Assessment and Inspection Requirements for Export to China," adding two Brazilian beef enterprises with registration codes SIF4293 and SIF5317, and two Brazilian poultry enterprises with registration codes SIF960 and SIF317. The new approvals are effective for products produced on or after September 29, 2026.

These approvals further consolidate Brazil's position as one of China's most important meat suppliers. Brazil is currently the largest beef exporter to China, and the addition of new facilities expands the supply base at a time when safeguard tariffs are reshaping the cost structure of Brazilian beef imports. The simultaneous triggering of the safeguard quota and the approval of new plants reflect the complex dynamics of growing trade volumes meeting protective domestic policy measures.