The Brazilian government is on the verge of achieving one of its greatest commercial breakthroughs in the meat sector in recent years: gaining access to the Japanese market for Brazilian beef.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Fávaro stated that negotiations are “very advanced,” with only technical details of the sanitary protocol remaining before the opening, expected by late 2025. “Progress is moving fast. Something that was on hold for over 25 years is now very close to becoming a reality,” Fávaro told Bloomberg from Malaysia.
Japan is one of the world’s most demanding and high-income markets, characterized by strict sanitary standards and traceability. The authorization of Brazilian exports would represent a strategic expansion for the world’s largest beef exporter and a direct challenge to the United States and Australia, the current main suppliers to the archipelago.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was personally involved in the negotiations during his official visit to Japan in March, aiming to strengthen political and trade dialogue with Tokyo.
“It would be great for Brazil, because Japan is a premium market where top-quality cuts can be exported,” said Gilberto Tomazoni, CEO of meat giant JBS.
