Brazil's Meatpackers Halt Lines As China's Beef Quota Runs Dry
China capped Brazilian beef at 1.106 million tons for 2026, a 35% cut from 2025's shipments, so meatpackers began furloughs.
- Frigol furloughed nearly 1,000 workers at its Pará plant for 18 days starting July 1.
- JBS placed workers at two Mato Grosso beef plants on 20 days of collective leave.
- Shipments beyond the quota face a 67% tariff, up from 12% within the limit.
Why it matters: One import quota set in Beijing now decides how many Brazilian meatpackers work this month.