Carrefour Apologizes to Brazil After Mercosur Meat Ban Backfires

The French supermarket chain faced a supplier boycott in Brazil after announcing it would not sell Mercosur-origin meat in France, citing support for French farmers.

• Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard apologized to Brazil for a statement that the company would not sell Mercosur meat in its French stores, citing confusion caused by the announcement.
• Brazilian suppliers, including meat giants JBS and Marfrig, halted deliveries to Carrefour stores in Brazil, supported by the Brazilian government, in response to the perceived criticism of Brazilian meat quality.
• The announcement was linked to France's opposition to the EU-Mercosur trade deal, which French farmers fear could lead to unfair competition and lower standards in agricultural imports.
• Carrefour clarified that its decision only applied to its French stores and emphasized its ongoing commitment to Brazilian suppliers, who account for a significant portion of its revenue in Brazil.
• The incident highlights tensions surrounding the EU-Mercosur trade negotiations, with Brazil pushing for a finalized deal while France remains strongly opposed.

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