European Union suspends imports of meat and products from Brazil and threatens US$ 2 billion in exports

Last Thursday (3), the European Union suspended the entry of new Brazilian cargoes of beef, chicken and pork, as well as fish, honey and eggs. The restriction applies to the 27 countries in the bloc and responds to what Brussels classifies as insufficient control over the use of antimicrobials in animal production. No Brazilian batch suffered any contamination.

The blockade could put up to US$2 billion in exports at risk annually. Chicken and beef have the highest exposure. Chicken alone sold US$763 million to the European market in 2025, according to data from the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). The bloc buys a small portion of the volume of beef, but pays for cuts with higher added value.

The European measure was motivated by the traceability of antimicrobials. EU rules prohibit the use of these substances, which serve to accelerate the growth of animals. For beef, the European Commission, which requires guarantees that cover the entire life cycle of the animal, concluded that the Brazilian system still does not demonstrate this compliance.

The Lula (PT) government contested the assessment, while trying to negotiate a reversal. According to Planalto, Brazilian legislation already restricts the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters, and a regulation from the beginning of July made internal inspection procedures stricter. In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock stated that the documentation sent to Brussels would prove “traceability, monitoring and certification of compliance with health requirements”.

The private sector has also joined the negotiations. The Brazilian Agriculture and Livestock Confederation (CNA) even asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the ministry to evaluate using the concession rebalancing mechanism of the Mercosur-EU trade agreement, which, in practice, could turn into retaliation.

The suspension can be reversed, but the process should not be quick. The European health committee, for example, should only evaluate the technical aspects of these sectors again in November. Furthermore, it will be necessary to verify a report that will still be produced by European technicians, who completed this Friday (4) an audit of chicken and honey chains in Brazil.

In the case of beef, the requirement to track the animal throughout its life will have to respect the livestock cycle itself, which takes time. From birth to slaughter, within the rules established in Europe, it takes 24 to 36 months.