Brazil blocks local meat deliveries to French Carrefour chain over trade row

A Carrefour supermarket in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Brazil's agriculture minister on Monday threw his support behind national meat suppliers who have boycotted deliveries to local French-owned supermarket chain Carrefour, in a growing row related to Mercosur trade negotiations.

Carlos Favaro told the GloboNews broadcaster he was "happy with the attitude of our suppliers," which since last week have been snubbing retailers in Brazil operated by the French supermarket group.

The supply disruption was triggered after Carrefour's CEO Alexandre Bompard last week told French unions his supermarket chain would "not sell any meat coming from Mercosur" in its French outlets.

The row is linked to France's opposition to finalising a European Union trade deal with Mercosur amid protests from French farmers who fear the pact could open the door to unfair competition.

The Mercosur bloc includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Favaro said: "If for the French, Carrefour doesn't want to buy Brazilian meat, then Carrefour won't be buying Brazilian meat to put on its shelves here in Brazil either."

Macron seeks to stall Mercosur deal on visit to South America

Carrefour Brazil confirmed in a statement it was being affected by the suppliers' decision.

The developments in Brazil come as French MPs are set to hold a parliamentary debate over the deal on Wednesday.


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