Brazil: Carrefour apologises after beef controversy leads to boycott in Brazil
“Carrefour to Apologize After Beef Spat Led to Brazil Boycott”, 25 November 2024
…Carrefour SA Chief Executive Officer Alexandre Bompard plans to issue a public apology to the Brazilian government to settle a controversy over its commitment against selling South American meat in France…
The move comes after companies such as JBS SA, the world’s largest producer, and Minerva SA decided to retaliate and suspended sales to Carrefour in Brazil. The French grocer has more than 1,000 outlets in Brazil, which generate more than 20% of its global sales, according to data compiled by Bloomberg…
After the meeting with the minister, the retailer is planning to release a statement in France and Brazil, in which it will also argue the company has always only sold French meat in its home country.
Bompard’s commitment last week to not market any meat produced by Mercosur… It comes amid protests by French farmers against a potential European Union free trade agreement with the bloc formed by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Earlier today, Brazil’s lower house decided to vote on a new bill to enforce “economic reciprocity” in response to French protectionism, according to Lower House Speaker Arthur Lira. Agriculture Minister Carlos Favaro endorsed the decision from Brazilian beef producers to suspend sales to Carrefour’s local unit.