EU ban threatens Mato Grosso do Sul beef export growth

The European Union's suspension of Brazilian animal product imports threatens to halt Mato Grosso do Sul's growing beef exports to the bloc, which rose 22.5% in value and 16.2% in volume from January to July 2026. Exports reached US$59.5 million and 6,440 tonnes in the period, up from US$48.6 million and 5,540 tonnes a year earlier, with frozen boneless beef showing the largest gains. The suspension, effective Thursday, could impact slaughterhouses, farmers, and related sectors. The CNA has urged the government to activate a concession rebalancing mechanism and requested Senate hearings, while the EU's ban relates to antimicrobial use rules. Brazil also faces a Mercosur dispute over dividing a 99,000-tonne annual beef quota.