Tariffs-Hit Brazil Seeks Mexico Consent for More Beef Plants

"Brazilian Hilton Cuts" are packed at the Minerva SA meat processing plant in Barretos, Brazil.

(Bloomberg) -- Brazil moved closer to obtaining approval to export beef to Mexico from more plants as Latin America’s biggest economy seeks new markets after being hit by US tariffs.

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Mexican authorities will visit 14 meatpacking plants in Brazil next month to ensure they meet export standards, according to the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association, known as Abiec. The inspections include two facilities owned by JBS NV, one by Marfrig Global Foods SA and three from Minerva SA, South America’s top beef shipper. Officials will also visit units currently authorized to export to renew their licenses.

The move comes as Brazil, which had been expanding shipments to the US, looks for new buyers for its supplies after being hit with President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs. So far this month, Mexico has already purchased more than the US, becoming Brazil’s second-largest market, Abiec showed. China is the biggest.

The news, first reported by O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper, comes as Abiec’s President Roberto Perosa is taking part in Brazil’s official mission to Mexico. The visit, taking place this week, is being led by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, with the presence of Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro and other Brazilian authorities.

Mexico purchased about 10,200 tons of beef this month through Aug. 25, 31% more than the US, according to Abiec data. Mexico ranked as the fourth largest market in the first seven months of the year, with China, the US and Chile ahead.

If approved, the new plants will take the number of Brazilian facilities with a green light to export beef to Mexico to 49. The nation has a total of 160 plants authorized to export to all nations.

(Updates with visits to plants with current authorization in second paragraph.)

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