Saudi Arabia approves eight new Brazilian meatpackers

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has approved eight new Brazilian meatpackers exporting beef and its by-products. The decision was made after a September visit by Brazilian Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina to the Middle Eastern country on the opening of the market to Brazilian agricultural goods.

The establishments approved were Frigorífico Fortefrigo (in Paragominas, Pará state), Frigorífico Better Beef (Rancharia, São Paulo), Rio Grande Comércio de Carnes Ltda (Imperatriz, Maranhão), Plena Alimentos (Pará de Minas, Minas Gerais), Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos Supremo (Ibirité, Minas Gerais), Frigol (São Félix do Xingu, Pará), Maxi Beef Alimentos do Brasil (Carlos Chagas, Minas Gerais), and Distriboi – Indústria, Comércio e Transporte de Carne Bovina (Ji-Paraná, Rondônia).

Minister Tereza Cristina - José Cruz/Agência Brasil

The move, Minister Tereza Cristina said, comes as a result of President Jair Bolsonaro’s visit to Saudi Arabia. “This is part of the opening efforts made by the Agriculture Ministry along with the federal government.” she said, adding “this is great news to start off the weekwith.”

In 2018, Brazilian agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia added up to $1.7 billion. Over 2.9 million tons of goods were traded, chief among which fresh chicken, raw cane sugar, fresh beef, soybean grains and meal, corn, refined sugar, and soluble and green coffee. Chicken accounted for 47.4 percent of the value sold ($804 million and 486 thousand tons).