Lula seeks progress over meat trade with China

Brazilian Meat Monitor - Agra-net
Tuesday May 19 2009

Opening up the Chinese market to Brazilian meat is the main trade point to be discussed by President Lula in Beijing. Brazil‘s ambassador in China, Clodoaldo Hugueney, says progress is expected in this area.

"I think it is possible that we will make significant progress in the three meats - chicken, pork and beef", said Hugueney.

Theoretically chicken has been released for trade by China, with 22 Brazilian units having been licensed to export - but purchase authorizations are not being granted.

Beef exports to China were suspended after outbreaks of FMD. In April China announced it would import from regions that are free of the disease. However, in practice it is not importing.

China is the world‘s largest consumer of pork, accounting for about 40% of the global market.

The high point of the Presidential visit will the signing by Lula and President Hu Jintao of a bilateral agreement stipulating a four-year plan for trade, investment and cooperation between 2010 and 2014.

Last Update on May 19, 2009