Brazil has been granted the status of a country free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination.

The official awarding of the status will take place on June 6 at a special ceremony in Paris, attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran.

This decision opens up new strategic opportunities for the world's largest beef exporter. In 2024, Brazil's beef exports reached $13 billion. The main importers of Brazilian beef are China, the UAE, and the United States. Amid a cattle shortage in North America, the U.S. has been increasing its purchases of Brazilian meat, and Brazil’s recognition as free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination may further strengthen this trend.

According to the industry association Abiec, the updated sanitary status could significantly simplify access to markets with strict veterinary safety requirements — particularly Japan. Additional interest in Brazilian products has already been expressed by the Philippines and Indonesia.

The vaccination cycle was completed in May 2024, and as Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro stated, this milestone has brought the country to a “new level in the global sanitary elite.” Initially, the status was expected to be granted in 2026, but the ambitious plan was successfully implemented ahead of schedule — in 2025.