Chinese mission begins inspection of Brazilian meat plants

A delegation of Chinese sanitary authorities began an audit of Brazil’s animal-product control system on Sunday, September 20, with inspections of meatpacking plants, laboratories and farms scheduled through September 28.

A total of 17 processing facilities across Brazil’s beef, pork and poultry industries are included in the itinerary presented to the Chinese authorities.

The mission covers both plants seeking authorization to export to China and facilities whose export approvals have been temporarily suspended.

Among the beef plants due to be inspected are JBS facilities in Vilhena, Rondônia; a Minerva Foods plant in Rolim de Moura, also in Rondônia; and an MBRF unit in Promissão, São Paulo, according to CNN Brasil.

JBS’s Vilhena plant has been suspended from exporting to China since May after progesterone was detected in shipments bound for the Chinese market.

The mission will also inspect facilities seeking approval to export beef and pork offal, as well as products including gallbladders.

According to Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the visit could lead to the reinstatement of plants whose exports have been suspended and the approval of new facilities.

Inspections follow series of Chinese suspensions

The audit comes after China took a series of measures involving Brazilian meat plants earlier this year.

Some facilities were suspended after residues of substances prohibited under Chinese regulations were detected in exported shipments.

Three Brazilian plants were suspended in May following the detection of medroxyprogesterone acetate residues. Another facility had been suspended in April over the same type of occurrence.

China later suspended the JBS plant in Vilhena after progesterone was found in a shipment.

Beef shipments to China plunge in August

The Chinese mission also comes as Brazilian meat exports to China face a sharp decline in beef shipments.

Brazil exported 18,900 metric tons of beef to China in August, down 88.2% from the same month of 2025, according to data from Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, or MDIC, compiled by beef exporters association Abiec.

Despite the August decline, China remained the leading destination for Brazilian beef in the first eight months of the year.

Brazil shipped 899,200 metric tons of beef to the Chinese market between January and August, generating revenue of $5.51 billion.

The drop in August shipments was also linked to Brazil reaching the limit of the tariff-rate quota established by China for Brazilian beef.

Once the quota is filled, volumes above the threshold are subject to an additional 50% tariff, bringing the total tariff to 62% and reducing the competitiveness of Brazilian exports.

The outcome of the Chinese audit will depend on technical assessments conducted during the mission.

Any decisions to reinstate suspended plants or approve new facilities will be taken later by the Chinese authorities.

Source: CNN Brasil

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