EU meat import ban from Brazil to raise prices in Sweden

Sweden faces a potential shortage and price hike for premium beef cuts this fall as the European Union prepares to ban meat imports from Brazil. The ban, effective September 3, stems from Brazil's failure to adhere to EU regulations on antibiotic use in animal feed, which the EU states are necessary for animal growth.

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It is the availability of these products, as well as the price, that consumers will notice in stores.

Maximilian Emanuelsson, market manager at meat wholesaler Norvida, told TT that the availability and price of beef tenderloin, sirloin, and ribeye will be noticeably affected in Swedish stores. "Beef tenderloin will be impacted," he said. Norvida plans to replace Brazilian beef with product from Uruguay, a country that does not have the same large-scale production and low costs as Brazil. This shift could lead to higher prices for consumers.

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Beef tenderloin will be impacted.

While only a small percentage of beef sold in stores like Ica is Brazilian, the import ban could still have an effect, according to Mats Heljestrand, Ica's category manager for meat. He noted that "New Year's and specifically beef tenderloin could be affected." For the rest of the year, Swedish beef and imports from Ireland or the UK may suffice.

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For us, it means that prices may increase and then it hits the consumers.

For Brazilian restaurants in Sweden, the EU's import ban is a significant concern. Pierre Aleani, manager of the Brazilian restaurant Heaven in Uppsala, stated that the ban will likely increase prices, directly impacting consumers. He suggested that the EU should focus on raising awareness about antibiotic use in Brazil rather than imposing import restrictions.

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It would be better if the EU, instead of hitting imports, creates awareness about this on the ground in Brazil.