Brazilian beef exporters scramble to preserve EU trade amid antimicrobial dispute

Brazil’s beef industry is actively working to resolve a dispute with the European Union over antimicrobial rules that threatens to disrupt its key export market, as negotiations continue to restore access.

Brazil’s beef exporters are working to avert a rupture with the European Union after Brussels moved to bar Brazilian shipments from 3 September over rules on antimicrobials, even as ABIEC said the country remains technically able to export while talks continue.

In a statement, the Brazilian beef exporters’ association said it was “concerned” by the interruption and has been working with the agriculture ministry and other parts of the supply chain to secure Brazil’s return to the bloc’s approved list. ABIEC said the government has already submitted the official assurances requested by Brussels and that negotiations are now focused on restoring trade as quickly as possible.

The association said the private sector has also built a control protocol on antimicrobial use together with audit and traceability bodies and the farm lobby CNA. It said all member companies with access to the European market have signed up.

ABIEC argued the EU requirement is a market rule rather than a reflection on the safety or sanitary status of Brazilian beef, which it said is sold in more than 170 markets. But it also acknowledged that Europe is strategically important because of the higher value of the cuts sold there and that there is no automatic substitute for that business.

Brazil set a record in 2025, exporting 3.5 million tonnes of beef worth $18.03bn, according to ABIEC.

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