Recognition expected to expand opportunities for Brazilian beef and pork exports.
On Tuesday, the government of Brazil, the world’s largest producer and supplier of beef, announced that China has declared the entire Brazilian territory free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
“The recognition expands opportunities for exports of Brazilian-origin beef and pork products to the Chinese market, including offal and boneless meat,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
In 2025, Brazil sold 1.68 million out of 3.5 million metric tons of Brazilian beef to China, representing nearly 48% of the volume exported by the South American country.
China’s decision to declare all of Brazil free of foot-and-mouth disease, the result of 20 years of negotiations, could further increase the country’s agricultural exports to the Asian nation, which totaled US$50 billion last year.
The Chinese announcement coincided with a visit by Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, which concluded in Beijing on Tuesday. The decision revokes several restrictions on purchases of Brazilian meat imposed by China in recent years, when it recognized only 12 out of Brazil’s 27 states as free of foot-and-mouth disease.
China’s announcement comes one year after the World Organisation for Animal Health declared Brazil a country free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Is a Challenge for Agricultural Economies
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and several species of wild animals. Caused by the foot-and-mouth disease virus, the illness is characterized by fever and the development of painful blisters in the mouth, on the feet and around the hooves.
Although the disease rarely poses a direct threat to human health, it can spread rapidly among livestock populations, causing severe economic losses through reduced productivity, animal deaths in severe cases and disruptions to domestic and international trade in animal products.
Brazil has spent decades implementing vaccination campaigns, surveillance programs and movement controls to eliminate foot-and-mouth disease from its territory. The country’s efforts have been closely monitored by the World Organisation for Animal Health, which grants official disease-status recognition to countries and regions.
Maintaining FMD-free status is considered crucial for Brazil’s livestock sector because many export markets impose strict sanitary requirements on imported meat and animal products.
In recent years, Brazil has progressively achieved recognition as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination across all of its states, marking a significant milestone in the country’s animal health strategy.
The achievement has strengthened Brazil’s position in global agricultural markets and enhanced access to premium export destinations. Nevertheless, authorities continue to maintain strict monitoring and biosecurity measures, as any outbreak could trigger trade restrictions, threaten the livestock industry and result in substantial economic costs.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: EFE – WOAH- PAHO – Reuters
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