Brazil's Meat Exporters Excluded from EU's Approved Suppliers List Amid Trade Risks

Brazil's Beef and Chicken Exports at Risk as EU Excludes Country from Antimicrobial Compliance List

Brazil, the world's largest beef and chicken exporter, has been excluded from a list of countries authorized to supply animal products to the European Union, posing a significant trade risk to the country. The European Union published an updated list of countries that comply with its rules against the excessive use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals on Tuesday, with Brazil conspicuously absent.

The list, which is currently intended for informational purposes only, will be formally adopted in the coming days and will have legal effects from September 3. This means that Brazil will no longer be allowed to export animal products to the EU unless it demonstrates compliance with the EU's rules on antimicrobial use. The European Commission spokesperson, Eva Hrncirova, stated that the EU has been in close contact with Brazilian authorities on this issue and will continue to work towards their compliance with these requirements.

Brazil's Animal Protein Association (ABPA), a group that represents poultry and pork exporters, has maintained that the country fully complies with EU rules and is working to demonstrate compliance to sanitary authorities. Exports have not yet been suspended, according to ABPA. The Brazilian Agriculture Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The exclusion of Brazil from the EU's compliance list is a significant development, given the importance of the trade relationship between the two regions. According to data from the Agriculture Ministry, shipments of beef to the EU accounted for only 4% of Brazil's beef exports in the first quarter of 2026, while chicken exports to the EU made up 8% of the country's total chicken exports.

Note: The total export figures for beef and chicken in the first quarter of 2026 are not provided in the original text.