Russia prepares duty-free quota for Brazilian red meat

Russia is ready to reconsider its policy on Brazilian meat imports. Currently, 9 pork producers and 3 beef processing plants are allowed to enter the Russian market, with a 15% tariff applied for volumes up to 530,000 tons of red meat. The Russian veterinary watchdog, an inspection visit to Brazil in the 1st quarter of 2022, aimed at qualifying new Brazilian meatpacking plants for exports was planned.

For four years now, Brazil has lost a large share of the Russian market due to scandals involving the quality of the meat exported. Now it may return in this market if talks establishing a duty-free quota for Brazilian meat is to become reality. Sources from both sides are talking about 200,000 tons of beef and 100,000 tons of pork that are about to enter next year the Russian market if a free trade agreement is about to be signed.

Before 2018, 43% of the Brazilian pig meat exports were shipped to Russia. Increased imports of pork may also help Kremlin to keep inflation under control. Currently, China is the main destination for Brazilian pork, with 481,900 tons shipped there between January and October.

SOURCE: PigUA.info