The Brazilian Meat
Industry –
Production and Inspection
March 2017
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
INTRODUCTION
Brazil is one of the leading global exporters of food, and holds approximately 7% of the global
agribusiness market. The sector is one of the pillars of the Brazilian economy, employing 6.7
million people in the meat industry only.
The country has a strict, internationally recognised surveillance system for animal products. In
its different stages, it covers all stages of the production chain, from monitoring in the field to
the shipments leaving the cold chambers. The Federal Government is working to make this
system even more robust, strengthening inspections and preventing isolated cases of
irregularities from tarnishing the global image of Brazilian beef.
The federal government reiterates its confidence in the quality of the national product, which
has won over consumers and obtained the approval of some of the world’s most demanding
markets in terms of oversight and health protection. This standard of excellence has opened
the doors to over 150 countries, with permanent auditing, monitoring and risk assessment.
Added to this this recognition is the scrutiny of on-site inspections conducted upon arrival of
the products at their destinations.
CONTEXT
Triggered on March 17 by the Federal Police (PF), Operation Carne Fraca (“Weak Flesh”) led to
the suspension of the export licenses of 21 meat packing plants. The aim of the Federal Police
is to investigate a group of inspectors and executives suspected of negotiating bribes to clear
products out of specification for trade in the market. It is, therefore, a targeted operation,
which does not compromise the entirety of Brazil’s meat production chain. Three meat packing
plants have been closed, and 33 civil servants involved have also been deprived of the
functions they held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA).
The MAPA technical staff is highly qualified, and the federal inspection system is robust. It is
subjected to constant assessment, including by foreign health officials from the 150 countries
that import Brazilian meat.
The Ministry does not admit wrongdoing, and fully supports any actions aimed at curbing
them. MAPA has partnerships with other federal agencies to obtain data, collect official
samples, conduct laboratory analysis and enforce the results of inspections.
Below are a few general figures on the meat industry in Brazil, MAPA’s inspection activities and
the measures adopted by the Ministry.
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
2
INDUSTRY
 In 2016, Brazil exported over one million tons of beef. The main destinations were
Hong Kong, Egypt, China and Russia. The country also exported about 3.9 million tons
of fresh chicken meat, the main importers of which were Saudi Arabia, China, Japan,
United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. In the same year, Brazil slaughtered 42.3
million heads of swine for the domestic and foreign markets.
 There are 4,837 animal product-producing units under federal inspection by MAPA.
 Brazil exports its animal products to over 150 countries.
 The country currently accounts for 20% of the international meat market (cattle,
poultry and pigs).
 40% of all poultry exports in the world come from Brazil.
 The meat industry generates nearly R$ 14 billion a year in exports for Brazil.
 In 2016, Brazil sent 852,000 shipments of animal products to other countries. Of
those, only 184 (0.02%) were considered to be noncompliant by their importers,
specifically due to incorrect labelling or incorrectly filled forms or certificates, not due
to health issues.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA):
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
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OVERSIGHT:
"We have a very strong, very robust surveillance system, recognised by the international
market. We thoroughly check for quality. When they reach their destination countries, all
products are inspected and checked again. No international sale is made without a mutual
recognition of inspection and health systems between countries."
Blairo Maggi, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply:
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MAPA has 11,000 employees, of which 2,300 work on health inspections.
The Federal Inspection Service (SIF), internationally recognised for its work, ensures
the quality of products. Its operations cover nearly 5,000 establishments, and in 2017,
the system celebrated its 102nd anniversary
MAPA has 6 National Agricultural Laboratories (Lanagros) distributed throughout the
country.
These are complemented by 414 other laboratories accredited by MAPA.
These laboratories conduct 34 million tests a year.
Of the 4,837 production units certified to export meat, only 21 are under
investigation.
The National Pathogen Control Programme (PNCP) allows the government to identify
pathogens in animal products produced by Brazilian establishments registered with
the SIF, helping the government establish more accurate risk control measures.
Physical/Chemical/Microbiological Standards Compliance Programme for Edible
Animal Products: aims to obtain data that allows the Ministry to verify the compliance
of animal products to applicable content standards.
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
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ACTIONS TAKEN
 The Ministry ordered the closing of one production plant owned by BRF S.A. in
Mineiros (GO) and two owned by Peccin Agro Industrial Ltda. in Curitiba (PR) and
Jaraguá do Sul (SC).
 Aiming to reassure the Brazilian consumer, in addition to the three establishments
mentioned above, audit teams have also been assigned to further inspect the 18 other
establishments mentioned by Operation Weak Flesh investigations.
 MAPA preventively removed from office the 33 public officials who were named in
the investigation. The Ministry has 2,300 inspectors.
 MAPA also determined the opening of an inquiry to investigate alleged irregular
practices committed and the dismissal of the civil servants and other occupants of
management positions mentioned as part of the operation.
 Samples are being collected and will be sent to MAPA’s laboratory network for
testing, with special attention to the products mentioned in the investigations.
 In order to reinforce the soundness of Brazil’s animal product inspection system to the
countries with which Brazil maintains trade relations, statements were issued to
foreign health authorities communicating the nature of the ongoing investigations
and actions taken by MAPA.
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
5
BEEF EXPORTS (2016)
1.200.000.000
1.000.000.000
800.000.000
600.000.000
400.000.000
200.000.000
0
HONG KONG
CHINA
EGYPT
Amount (US$)
RUSSIA
IRAN
CHILE
UNITED
STATES
Weight (kg)
KEY MARKETS
Country
Amount (US$)
Weight (kg)
HONG KONG
1,006,335,385
285,095,970
CHINA
703,069,555
164,871,675
EGYPT
551,207,062
176,845,269
RUSSIA
408,138,469
138,784,217
IRAN
374,310,252
96,190,410
CHILE
300,702,269
71,012,893
UNITED STATES
283,692,616
33,180,225
Source: MAPA
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
6
POULTRY EXPORTS (2016)
1.400.000.000
1.200.000.000
1.000.000.000
800.000.000
600.000.000
400.000.000
200.000.000
0
SAUDI ARABIA
CHINA
JAPAN
Amount (US$)
UAE
NETHERLANDS HONG KONG
UNITED
KINGDOM
Weight (kg)
KEY MARKETS
Country
Amount (US$)
Weight (kg)
SAUDI ARABIA
1,157,023,920
746,286,358
CHINA
859,482,854
483,768,802
JAPAN
729,725,969
397,062,269
UAE
478,319,640
301,593,542
NETHERLANDS
402,050,514
181,814,869
HONG KONG
357,246,299
248,564,677
UNITED
KINGDOM
234,557,409
88,997,843
Source: MAPA
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
7
PORK EXPORTS (2016)
600.000.000
500.000.000
400.000.000
300.000.000
200.000.000
100.000.000
0
RUSSIA
HONG KONG
CHINA
Amount (US$)
SINGAPORE ARGENTINA
URUGUAY
CHILE
Weight (kg)
KEY MARKETS
Country
Amount (US$)
Weight (kg)
RUSSIA
519,729,578
245,023,076
HONG KONG
307,505,336
164,143,815
CHINA
189,574,356
87,856,398
SINGAPORE
71,802,058
32,680,564
ARGENTINA
67,868,605
25,278,081
URUGUAY
62,900,484
28,980,787
CHILE
51,488,955
23,198,492
Source: MAPA
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
8
TOTAL EXPORTS - 2016:
8.000.000.000,00
7.000.000.000,00
6.000.000.000,00
5.000.000.000,00
4.000.000.000,00
3.000.000.000,00
2.000.000.000,00
1.000.000.000,00
0,00
Beef
Poultry
Amount (US$)
Swine
Weight (kg)
Amount (US$)
Weight (kg)
Beef
5,338,511,597.00
1,348,869,898
Poultry
6,760,227,977.00
4,307,060,934
Swine
1,469,539,184.00
720,104,293
Source: MAPA
Secretariat for Social Communication - International Area
Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
9