Following over 20 years of intense technical and diplomatic negotiations, China’s customs authority officially declared the entire territory of Brazil completely free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) – a landmark decision by China that removes long-standing livestock restrictions on Brazil, creating major export opportunities and sending a strong signal to global meat markets.
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Policy Shift: This decision eliminates historical regional trade barriers. Previously, China only recognized 12 out of Brazil’s 27 states as disease-free, heavily restricting exports from other regions.
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Immediate Export Expansion: The ministry confirmed that the lifting of all related FMD import restrictions clears immediate pathways for expanded shipments of Brazilian-origin beef and pork products, including offal and bone-in products.
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The Economic Stakes: The decision gives Brazil unprecedented leverage in its most valuable market. China purchased nearly 48% of Brazil’s total exported beef volume last year (1.68 million out of 3.5 million metric tons). This milestone follows the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) declaration of Brazil as an FMD-free country without vaccination.
During the first quarter of 2026 alone, China imported nearly $3 billion worth of Brazilian meat, underscoring the enormous economic significance of the relationship. The new recognition is expected to facilitate exports of products that previously faced restrictions, including:
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Bone-in beef.
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Pork products.
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Offal and specialty cuts.
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Higher-value animal protein products.
