Possible opening of Japanese market to Brazilian beef will apply only to five states

Technical staff from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) were in Brazil last week to audit the country’s sanitary inspection system. The visit is considered a key step toward a possible market opening for Brazilian beef.

During the visit, the Japanese clarified that if Brazil’s sanitary system is approved, the potential market opening would not apply to the entire country, according to a source familiar with the matter. It would cover only the states that had already been recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as foot-and-mouth disease-free zones without vaccination prior to 2025: Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, Acre, and Rondônia.

The Ministry of Agriculture is advocating for the opening to include the entire country, which was recognized as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination by the WOAH at the end of May. The visit was scheduled for the second week of June so that the Ministry could present the certificate handed to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on June 6. However, the documents initially submitted and reviewed by the Japanese covered only the five states.

If the Japanese give a positive signal, the remaining states may be approved later, which will require new negotiations, as over time, cattle herds in these regions will be composed solely of animals that have never been vaccinated.

The possible opening, limited to five states, is viewed by the Brazilian industry as a strategic move by Japan in a commercial and political scenario involving the United States, from which Japan already imports beef. A partial approval for Brazil could ease American pressure on Tokyo, which aims to protect its market share while partially meeting the demands of both Brazilian suppliers and local importers.

The Japanese technical team visited federal inspection service units and sanitary controls in several states. No audit was conducted at slaughterhouses.

In the agribusiness sector, expectations are that Japan’s market opening for the five states could be completed by the end of 2025 or the first quarter of 2026. A key advantage for Brazil at this time is the increase in domestic meat prices in the Asian country. On the technical front, a source emphasized that Brazil meets Japan’s requirements.

If the partial opening is confirmed following Japan’s audit of Brazil’s sanitary system, approval for the remaining regions could be facilitated, said an industry source—especially with the WOAH recognition.

The Japanese are expected to issue a report on the audit. If approved, discussions will begin on the technical requirements to be included in the protocol for exporting Brazilian beef. Plant approvals after the opening should be based on pre-listing, depending on Japan’s risk assessment.

Source: Globo Rural

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