The Chinese Government has suspended imports from five Brazilian meat processing plants as part of its Covid-19 protective measures.

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) has also confirmed that Chinese officials have suspended meat exports from certain meat processing plants in the country.

Of the five suspended slaughterhouses, two are pig slaughterhouses, including BRF in Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul state, and Seara, which is controlled by JBS and located in Três Passos, Rio Grande do Sul state.

The other units prohibited by the Chinese authorities include one specialised in poultry and two in beef.

The Brazilian authorities have also reportedly withdrawn the permit of one more poultry unit.

With the suspension of JBS and BRF facilities, the number of Brazilian pig slaughterhouses that have been authorised to sell to China has dropped to 14.

However, the quantity of poultry and beef facilities permitted to sell their meat products to China remain high.