According to Revista Globo Rural, Brazilian meatpacking companies JBS, Marfrig, and Masterboi have stopped supplying meat to the French supermarket chain Carrefour after its announcement to veto Mercosur products.
The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, stated on Monday (25th) that he feels “happy” with the reaction of Brazilian meatpackers suspending their supply of meat to Carrefour in Brazil.
The move followed remarks made by Carrefour’s global CEO, Alexandre Bompard, last Wednesday (20th), declaring that the chain would stop purchasing Brazilian meat for the French market.
“It’s not about an economic boycott. The issue is the way the Carrefour CEO approached it. In the first paragraph of his letter, he questions the sanitary quality of Brazilian meat, which is inadmissible,” said the minister in an interview with Globonews.
“France has been buying meat from Brazil for 40 years. Is this the first time he’s noticed an issue? This is absurd, especially to use it as a trade barrier. I am pleased with our suppliers’ decision: if Carrefour in France considers Brazilian meat unfit, then Carrefour here in Brazil should also stop selling it in their stores,” Fávaro declared.
On Thursday (21st), one day after the announcement, JBS, Marfrig, and Masterboi halted beef supplies to Carrefour and other stores under its brand, including Atacadão and Sam’s Club, according to Globo Rural.
“JBS trucks en route to deliver to the stores yesterday turned back,” an unnamed source told the magazine.
In a statement to Globo G1, Carrefour denied any supply issues:
“It is false to claim there is a meat shortage in Carrefour Brasil stores. Such claims, made without an identified source, only contribute to misinformation. The sale of meat is proceeding as usual in all our stores, with no disruptions,” said Carrefour.
