Meat exports down after Weak Flesh probe, says Brazil minister

In a statement made Wednesday (Mar. 22), Brazil's Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi described the problems uncovered by the Federal Police as part of their Operation Weak Flesh as specific and isolated acts of misconduct by government officials.

Blairo Maggi stood up for Brazil's meat quality control and said the incident “scratched” and “shook” the nation's image, taking its toll on exports. Brazil's meat exports average $63 million, and sank as low as to $74 thousand Tuesday (21), the minister said.

“We're talking about exorbitant figures. We can't be certain as to how strong a blow we're about to take as yet,” he said.

The minister believes Brazil may face losses totaling up to a yearly $1.5 billion following the developments of Operation Weak Flesh. “Losses are sure to be heavy,” he added.

In general terms, Brazil will experience a market oscillation of some 10 percent “in a volume of $15 billion we export every year for meat. We'll see some $1, $1.5 billion in losses per annum,” he said.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira