Covid-19: BRF to resume operations at chicken and pork plant in Brazil

Brazilian meat processor BRF is reportedly planning to gradually reopen its chicken and pork plant in the country a week ahead of schedule after it was shut by the company due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Reuters reported that the re-opening of chicken and pork plants was announced by Francisco Turra, the president of Brazilian poultry and pork processor association ABPA.

In a statement to Reuters, BRF said that it has reached an agreement with the local officials to reopen its meat processing facilities.

Located in Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, the plant is reported to be one of only two facilities that were closed in Brazil during the Covid-19 outbreak.

On May 8, the company received an order from a local municipal court to shut the facilities for 15 days.

BRF said that it has made a series of commitments to obtain permission from the authorities and resume operations.

As part of its commitment, the company has agreed to conduct Covid-19 tests for all its workers working at the facility and would forward all those results immediately to Lajeado’s health authorities, according to a statement.

ABPA said: “Brazil’s pork exports in 2020 are expected to exceed initial expectations, while chicken exports will also remain strong driven due to Chinese demand.

“ABPA estimated Brazilian shipments of pork at between 900,000 tonnes and one million tonnes in 2020, which would represent 33% growth compared to 2019.”

Earlier this month, BRF has agreed to acquire Saudi Arabia’s Joody Al Sharqiya food production company from Hungry Bunny and other local firms. The $8m deal was executed by BRF subsidiary Badi.

The move comes nearly seven months after BRF announced plans to invest approximately $120m to develop and operate a chicken processing plant in Saudi Arabia, as well as further bolster its presence in the country.