Brazil and South Africa open talks on protein security

The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), representing Brazil’s major poultry and pork producers, will host a high-level seminar in South Africa this week to discuss measures aimed at securing stable and safe protein supplies for the country. The meeting will bring together South African meat importers, senior agricultural officials and Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

The seminar will focus on ensuring reliable and uninterrupted meat trade between the two countries at a time when South Africa faces renewed pressure on its veterinary systems. Authorities in the Free State recently confirmed new Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cases, resulting in cattle culling and rising red-meat prices. ABPA will present Brazil’s animal-health management systems, including the measures it used to eliminate FMD.

Brazilian and South African veterinary experts are also expected to meet to discuss a possible bilateral regionalisation agreement. Regionalisation, recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), allows exports to continue from unaffected zones during a disease outbreak. Such an arrangement would protect South Africa’s meat supply by preventing full import suspensions when outbreaks occur only in specific regions.

ABPA President Ricardo Santin said regionalisation is essential to stable food systems.

“Regionalisation is the system the world relies on to keep food supply stable. When it is applied properly, consumers are protected. When it is abandoned, the result is unnecessary shortages, price pressure and harm to families already under strain,” he said.

Earlier this year, a contained Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak in one Brazilian state led to South Africa suspending all chicken imports from the country. The decision removed an estimated 100 million meals per week from South Africa’s food system, affecting school feeding programmes, retailers, processors and the informal sector. ABPA said these disruptions could have been avoided had regionalisation principles been applied.

Brazil supplies significant volumes of poultry imports to South Africa, especially mechanically deboned meat (MDM), a critical ingredient in processed meats such as polony and viennas. According to ABPA, these imports do not displace local producers but fill gaps in the market and help maintain affordability.

However, the association noted inconsistencies in South Africa’s application of regionalisation. It pointed to varying interpretations of WOAH guidelines, capacity challenges at provincial veterinary services and reliance on manual Veterinary Health Certificates as factors undermining predictability in the import system.

Santin said aligning South Africa’s implementation with global standards is crucial for long-term food security.

“South Africa’s new nutrition plan makes clear what the G20 has already recognised: predictable, science-aligned trade is essential to safeguarding access to affordable food,” he said.

Technical discussions between Brazilian and South African veterinary authorities will take place this week to share expertise on regionalisation, digital certification and strengthening cooperation. ABPA said it views South Africa as a long-term partner in building a reliable food-security framework.

The seminar forms part of ABPA’s wider programme of technical support and collaboration aimed at reinforcing stable, safe and affordable protein supply chains.