The Brazilian government has secured an Egyptian measure that facilitates enabling meat slaughtering facilities to export to this Arab country.
Instead of the Egyptian authorities issuing new enabling permits or renewing them through personal visits, the Brazilian authorities will now be responsible for this process, resulting in the possibility of shortening the current waiting list of around 30 facilities.
The image above shows a meat restaurant in Egypt.
According to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, an agreement was reached on Tuesday, February 13, regarding a protocol for the pre-listing meat inspection system, with confirmation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit to Egypt. Under this protocol, Egypt grants the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture approval for facilities producing beef, poultry, and pork to export to the Egyptian market.
According to information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources to the Brazilian Arab News Agency (ANBA), Egypt has been ranked among the top six largest importers of Brazilian beef in recent years. “We have approximately 40% of the Egyptian market share.”
In terms of the poultry sector, Brazil is considered by the Ministry to be the main supplier to Egypt, accounting for approximately 91% of the market share with potential for expansion in exports. As for pork, despite Brazilian exports not being declared due to restrictions imposed by Islamic law, Brazil holds a 100% market share according to the Ministry. It is worth mentioning that the Muslim population does not consume pork, as Islam is the dominant religion in Egypt.
The ministry stated that the approval of the pre-listing process demonstrates the Egyptian government’s confidence in the quality of the Brazilian healthcare system. The well-known pre-listing procedure reflects great trust in the Brazilian health control system, known as the Federal Inspection Service (SIF), recognized by over 150 destinations that import meat produced in our country.
According to the ministry, the previous procedure allowing exports to this Arab country caused significant expenses for Brazilian exporters, and burdened auditors of the federal agricultural taxes in the Ministry of Agriculture and Brazilian Livestock during auditing operations, significantly reducing the number of institutions authorized to export meat and meat products and by-products of cattle, poultry, and pork to Egypt.
The ministry added that this measure reduces bureaucracy in accessing the market for new meat export factories in Egypt, eliminating the need for on-site auditing in Brazil. Around 30 Brazilian establishments have been on the waiting list since 2019 to qualify for exports. Qualification or enabling and renewing facilities is valid for three years. Companies need to meet Egyptian health requirements to be approved.
ANBA
