China blocks Uruguayan beef shipments over tick-control drug residues

China has returned containers of Uruguayan beef after detecting residues of a medication used for tick control. The case was disclosed by the country’s Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Alfredo Fratti, and has raised concern among producers and industry institutions.

According to Fratti, some shipments have already been sent back, while others are still at risk. The minister explained that the issue arises because the treatment cycle for tick-control drugs does not always align with the required withdrawal period to ensure no residues remain in the meat. “You apply a medication to fight ticks, and there is no product with a withdrawal time of less than 40 days. But the tick’s life cycle — when it climbs, drops off and climbs again — is 21 days,” he told Uruguayan media.

To mitigate future risks, Uruguay’s government announced measures such as adding octagonal symbols on drug labels clearly indicating the withdrawal period, along with the implementation of a national vaccination program against ticks. The first doses of the vaccine, developed by the Pasteur Institute, are expected to be ready in November, followed by applications in December and January, with an evaluation projected for March.

Below is a history of Uruguayan beef exports to China starting in January 2022. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:

Uruguayan Beef Exports to China | Jan 2022 to Aug 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

Producers on alert

The president of the National Meat Institute, Gastón Scaloya, said incidents like this should not happen, given Uruguay’s international reputation for seriousness and transparency in its beef industry. He warned that the presence of chemical residues can undermine global market confidence, especially considering that around 80% of Uruguay’s beef production is destined for export, the leading driver of its agricultural sector.

The Rural Federation also stressed the need for veterinarians and producers to strictly comply with withdrawal periods to ensure food safety, protect public health and preserve international confidence in Uruguayan beef.

In Brazil, which also counts China as its main destination for red meat exports, the withdrawal period for tick-control products in beef cattle ranges from 21 to 35 days, depending on the product and method of application. This period is mandatory to ensure that chemical residues do not exceed legal limits.

Source: Beef Point

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