Carrefour Clarifies Position Amid Criticism Over South American Meat Ban

Europe’s largest food retailer, Carrefour, expressed regret that its pledge to exclude South American meat from its shelves in France had been interpreted as undermining its partnership with Brazilian agriculture.

In a statement, Carrefour emphasized that nearly all the meat it sold in France was sourced domestically, while the meat sold in Brazil came exclusively from Brazilian suppliers. The company confirmed its commitment to maintaining this practice.

The controversy arose after Brazilian meatpackers halted supplies for Carrefour’s Brazilian operations following comments from CEO Alexandre Bompard. Bompard had warned that the proposed trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc could lead to an influx of meat into the French market that might not meet France’s standards.

His remarks, made in a social media post directed at leaders of France’s agricultural lobbies, drew sharp criticism from Brazilian agribusiness groups. They issued a joint statement condemning the comments as “protectionist.”

Bompard’s statements came at a time of heightened tensions, as French farmers protested against a potential EU free trade agreement with Mercosur, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

In its statement, Carrefour clarified its stance, denying any intention to pit French agriculture against Brazilian agriculture. The company highlighted the shared agricultural values between the two countries, stating its pride in being both a leading partner and long-standing supporter of Brazilian agriculture.

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