The agreement was finalised in a document sent to MAPA’s department of animal health, which confirmed that Iran’s Veterinary Organization had approved shipments of Brazilian cattle.
According to MAPA, the Iranian market is expected to receive 100,000 head of cattle annually from Brazil, with the prospect of expanding the number of animals as trade relations advance.
Negotiations between Iran and Brazil for cattle trade have been ongoing since the end of 2014.
MAPA’s department of animal health director Guilherme Marques said Brazil’s recognition of no cases of foot-and-mouth disease was decisive in the new market opening.
“The constant access to new markets to export Brazilian cattle have boosted this negotiation [with Iran],” said Marques. “The next countries that can buy cattle from Brazil are Thailand and Indonesia. The diversification of the markets is favourable to the producers and may allow the trading of other commodities.”
Brazilian cattle has been soaring in global demand, with sales figures in July exceeding the whole of last year.
In 2017, the export of live cattle accounted for more than US$276m in sales and, in July this year, shipments reached US$301m.
Earlier this month, MAPA finalised an export deal with Saudi Arabia for live cattle following four years of talks.