Brazil sees little room to reverse EU ban on animal protein exports
Brazilian negotiators close to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva now see less room to reverse a European Union suspension affecting Brazil animal protein exports to EU markets, which is scheduled to take effect on Thursday, September 3.
The Brazilian government’s position is to keep diplomatic channels open, but Brasília is already considering possible reciprocity measures against the European bloc.
From September 3, sales by Brazilian agribusiness companies will be suspended because Brazil has not provided proof of controls showing that antimicrobials banned by the EU are not used in local production chains. The measure follows a decision taken in May.
The potential impact of the suspension on exports of poultry, beef, eggs, honey and fish is close to $2 billion over one year.
According to data compiled by Datamar, a large share of Brazil’s export basket to the European Union will be affected by the new measures. The chart below shows the share of the top exported products:
Top Products Exported to the European Union | H1 2026 | WTMT
Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)
Sources familiar with the talks said the federal government has discussed imposing some type of sanitary barrier on European dairy products and olive oils in retaliation for the EU’s blockade of Brazilian animal proteins and related products. Brazil’s presidential palace, Planalto, has not confirmed the move.
Until recently, the assessment inside Planalto and Brazil’s Foreign Ministry was that political and diplomatic coordination could have an effect and reverse the suspension, at least partially and in time to avoid disruption.
In late July, Lula sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asking for Brazil to be reinstated on the list of approved exporters. The information was confirmed by the EU Delegation in Brasília. No response has been received so far.
The expectation in Brasília is that von der Leyen may respond to Lula’s letter this week, after receiving information from a European mission in Brazil. Sources familiar with the negotiations said they believe the initiative is unlikely to have any practical effect in keeping Brazilian shipments moving as usual, but could offer signals on what the EU intends to do in the coming months.
Technical mission seen as positive, but uncertainty remains
The Brazilian government viewed the arrival of a European technical mission to audit production and inspection processes in the poultry and honey chains as a positive sign.
The assessment is that there is room for an understanding with European authorities, as well as goodwill to remove the sanctions on Brazil. The outcome, however, will depend on a careful review of the new procedures adopted in production and inspection since July 1 to meet the bloc’s requirements.
Brazilian negotiators and technical officials expect poultry and honey exports to resume later this year, possibly in November, when the next meeting of the European Commission’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, known as Scopaff, is scheduled.
The EU auditors are expected to remain in Brazil until Friday, September 4, when they will meet with Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry.
Le Havre notice raises concern over cargo at sea
Last week, the port authority at the Port of Le Havre, in France, issued a notice saying imports of animal-origin products from Brazil would be “prohibited” from September 3, regardless of the shipment’s sanitary certification date.
The measure went beyond what had been set out in official communications between the EU and Brazil. Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry authorized certification until September 2. Export license issuance will be suspended the following day.
The industry alerted the Brazilian government, and Brazil’s agricultural attaché office in Brussels contacted the EU health authority, DG SANTE, to clarify the rules. The concern was over cargo already at sea on its way to Europe that could be blocked at port.
French authorities later reversed course and said cargo certified within the established deadline would be allowed to enter. Exporters saw the French position as a “sign of aggressiveness.” The episode strengthened calls among Brazilian business leaders for reciprocity measures.
For Brazil animal protein exports to EU markets, the next few weeks will be critical. Even if Brasília keeps pushing for a diplomatic solution, exporters are preparing for disruption unless the EU gives a clear signal that shipments can resume.
Source: Globo Rural