Brazil Weighs Company Level Limits on Beef Shipments to China

Brazil is considering introducing individual export limits for beef companies supplying China, in a move that could reshape how the country manages access to its largest overseas market.

According to reporting by Reuters, Brazil’s foreign trade secretary indicated that authorities are evaluating whether to allocate export volumes directly to specific processors selling into China. The proposal comes as Brazil continues to dominate global beef exports and remains a critical supplier to the Chinese market.

China is Brazil’s single biggest beef destination, accounting for a substantial share of total export volumes. However, Beijing has recently introduced safeguard mechanisms on certain beef imports, raising concerns about potential market volatility and competitive pressures among Brazilian exporters.

Assigning quotas at company level would represent a shift from the current system, potentially aiming to stabilise supply flows, prevent market oversupply, and manage trade diplomacy more carefully. Industry analysts suggest such a system could favour larger, established exporters while creating new barriers for smaller processors seeking access to China.

The discussion highlights how politically sensitive the China beef trade has become, with Brazilian authorities seeking to balance domestic industry interests, export earnings and bilateral trade relations.

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Source: Reuters | 11 February 2026

Dover Seizes Record 34 Tonnes of Illegal Meat

Nearly 34 tonnes of illegally imported meat were seized at the Port of Dover in January 2026. This marked the highest monthly total since records began.

According to reporting by BBC News, the seizures have triggered renewed concerns over UK border biosecurity. These concerns are heightened particularly as outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) continue across parts of continental Europe.

Authorities confirmed that the intercepted meat products were not properly declared and did not meet UK import requirements. The scale of the discovery significantly exceeds previous monthly records, highlighting growing pressure on border enforcement systems.

Industry bodies have repeatedly warned that illegal meat imports present a serious risk to domestic livestock production. Diseases such as ASF and FMD pose no risk to human health. However, they can have devastating economic consequences for pig and cattle sectors if introduced into the national herd.

The latest seizure adds momentum to calls for strengthened inspection capacity. There are also calls for enhanced intelligence sharing and tighter enforcement at key entry points.

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Source: BBC News | 11 February 2026

UK Bans Botswana Beef Over Foot and Mouth Outbreak

The UK has imposed a complete ban on red meat exports from Botswana. This follows confirmation of a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak.

According to reporting by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the precautionary measure is designed to protect domestic livestock from potential exposure.

The ban applies to all red meat products originating from Botswana, reflecting the UK’s zero-tolerance approach to FMD risk.

Botswana has historically been an approved exporter to premium markets. The suspension highlights how rapidly disease developments can alter international trade flows.

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Source: Economist Namibia | 11 February 2026

JBS Invests $150M in Oman to Build Multi-Protein Export Hub

Brazil-based meat giant JBS has announced a US$150 million investment to establish a major multi-protein processing hub in Oman. This will be done in partnership with the Oman Investment Authority.

The project will process beef, poultry and lamb, with a reported annual capacity of more than 300,000 tonnes. The facility is positioned as a strategic platform targeting the expanding global halal protein market.

The move aligns with broader Gulf food security strategies. In these strategies, sovereign wealth funds are investing in domestic processing infrastructure to reduce reliance on raw imports and increase value-added capacity.

JBS continues to expand internationally despite tighter global cattle supplies and increasing trade fragmentation. The multi-protein model also provides flexibility across species. This allows processors to pivot between beef, poultry and lamb depending on market margins.

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Source: Perishable News | 11 February 2026

Australian  Regulators Reinforce Abattoir Standards

The Western Australian Government has announced strengthened oversight of meat processing facilities. This follows the completion of a targeted inspection programme across the state’s abattoirs. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to ensure WA abattoir safety standards are met and maintained.

According to the official release from the Government of Western Australia, the programme reviewed compliance with hygiene, food safety and operational standards. Regulators identified areas for improvement and implemented corrective actions where required.

The inspection initiative forms part of a broader effort to ensure public health protection and uphold export certification requirements. It is also intended to maintain confidence in Western Australia’s meat supply chain. Authorities confirmed that overall compliance levels were high. However, some facilities were required to address procedural shortcomings relating to documentation, sanitation practices and operational controls.

The programme also highlights the increasing regulatory focus on traceability, workforce training and continuous improvement within processing plants. Industry bodies have acknowledged the importance of transparent inspection systems in preserving market reputation and protecting biosecurity standards.

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Source: Government of Western Australia | 10 February 2026

‘Forgotten Meats’ Touted as Future Superfood Opportunity

So called “forgotten meats”, including offal and lesser-used cuts, are being highlighted as a potential nutritional and sustainability win for the UK food system, as pressure grows to make better use of the whole carcase.

According to reporting by Cambrian News, advocates argue that cuts such as liver, heart and kidneys offer exceptionally high levels of protein, iron, vitamin B12 and other micronutrients, often at a lower cost and environmental footprint than prime muscle cuts.

Supporters say these products could help address concerns around food affordability, nutrition and waste, particularly as consumers face rising meat prices and tighter household budgets. By increasing utilisation of the whole animal, the sector could also improve carcase balance and returns across the supply chain.

Industry voices acknowledge that consumer perception remains a major hurdle. Offal consumption in the UK has declined sharply over recent decades, driven by changing tastes, lack of familiarity and limited retail and foodservice promotion. Reintroducing these products would require education, recipe development and clearer messaging around health benefits and provenance.

For processors and butchers, renewed interest in forgotten meats could present an opportunity to add value, reduce waste and diversify product ranges.

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Source: Cambrian News | 9 February 2026

January Beef Kill Down 26,000 Head as Factory Supplies Tighten

Factory cattle supplies in Ireland have fallen sharply at the start of 2026, with the cumulative January beef kill down by 26,000 head compared with the same period last year, according to the latest slaughter data.

Figures reported by Agriland show that weekly cattle kill numbers remained relatively steady throughout January, averaging just over 30,000 head per week. However, despite this apparent stability, overall throughput has declined significantly year on year.

The total beef kill to date this year stands at just over 145,000 head, excluding veal. This compares with much higher cumulative volumes at the same point in 2025, reflecting a tightening supply of finished cattle coming forward for slaughter.

In contrast, January 2025 saw far greater volatility in weekly factory supplies, with kill numbers fluctuating from around 22,500 head to almost 39,000 head per week. The narrower weekly range this year suggests a more controlled flow of cattle, albeit at lower overall levels.

The reduced kill comes against the backdrop of a smaller national cattle herd and cautious producer selling behaviour. While beef prices came under pressure in the latter part of 2025, they have stabilised in recent weeks, with modest price improvements reported in some cow categories.

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Source: Agriland | 9 February 2026

Isle of Man Farmers Urge UK Trade to Be Made a Priority

Farmers on the Isle of Man are calling on their government to make continued, friction free trade with the United Kingdom an urgent priority. They warn that any disruption would have serious consequences for the island’s agricultural sector.

The Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) has issued a strong appeal, stressing that the UK remains the primary and most critical market for Manx agricultural produce. According to the union, access to Britain underpins farm incomes across the island. It is also essential for long-term viability.

The MNFU has highlighted growing uncertainty around future trading arrangements. It warned that even minor barriers or delays could significantly impact producers who depend on smooth supply chains into the UK market. Therefore, farmers have urged the Isle of Man government to work closely with UK authorities to safeguard existing trading links. They want to avoid unnecessary administrative or regulatory friction.

Concerns have also been raised about the potential knock-on effects of new UK trade agreements with third countries. The MNFU has called for Manx agriculture to be fully considered in future negotiations. It warned that failure to do so could leave island producers exposed to increased competition or disadvantaged by changing market rules.

The appeal reflects broader unease within smaller agricultural regions about market access and representation. This comes as UK trade policy continues to evolve post-Brexit.

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Source: Manx Radio | 9 February 2026

Stop Start China Access Undermines Irish Beef Strategy

Hopes of building a meaningful Irish beef trade with China have been effectively extinguished once again. This follows the suspension of imports just weeks after the market reopened.

According to reporting by Irish Farmers Journal, the discovery of bluetongue virus in a cattle herd in Co Wexford has triggered an immediate halt to Irish beef exports to China. This action is taken under the strict animal health protocols governing access to the market.

The latest suspension comes on the back of years of stop start access, with Irish beef previously locked out of China due to atypical BSE cases. While the most recent reopening was welcomed by exporters and policymakers, industry figures now say the repeated disruptions have made it impossible to establish a commercially viable trading relationship.

Processors and exporters argue that the Chinese market’s zero tolerance approach to animal disease incidents, combined with Ireland’s high surveillance and reporting standards, leaves the sector uniquely exposed to sudden shutdowns. Furthermore, even isolated or low-risk detections can result in a complete market suspension. This occurs regardless of regional containment.

Industry leaders quoted by the Irish Farmers Journal warn that China can no longer be treated as a dependable destination for Irish beef. This is particularly true when investment in market development, plant approvals and customer relationships can be wiped out overnight.

The frustration is compounded by the fact that beef exports to China represent a strategic outlet for fifth-quarter cuts, helping maximise carcase value. Without reliable access, processors must redirect product into already competitive EU and UK markets. As a result, this increases pressure on prices and margins.

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Source: Irish Farmers Journal | 8 February 2026

NZ Beef Floods UK Market as Imports Triple

New Zealand beef exports to Great Britain have more than tripled in both volume and value during the first eleven months of 2025, adding fresh competitive pressure to the UK beef import market and intensifying challenges for Irish and EU suppliers.

According to reporting by Irish Farmers Journal, British customs data shows a sharp shift in import dynamics, with New Zealand significantly expanding its presence under post-Brexit trading arrangements. The surge has coincided with a notable erosion of Ireland’s dominant market position.

Ireland’s share of the UK beef import market fell from 76% in 2024 to 68% in 2025, a substantial drop for a supplier that has historically been the backbone of British beef imports. While Ireland remains the largest single source of imported beef, the data highlights a clear diversification by UK buyers.

The expansion of New Zealand shipments reflects a combination of greater tariff access, competitive pricing and tight domestic UK cattle supplies, which have encouraged retailers and processors to widen their sourcing base. Australian exports to Britain have also increased, while Brazilian volumes continue to edge higher despite ongoing political and regulatory scrutiny.

For Irish processors, the trend is particularly concerning as it coincides with tightening cattle supplies at home and repeated disruption to China market access. With fewer alternative outlets for carcase balance, increased competition in the UK risks putting pressure on returns, especially for manufacturing beef and secondary cuts.

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Source: Irish Farmers Journal | 8 February 2026