Chinese buyers expect trade in Brazil to resume soon despite cases of mad cow disease

Chinese beef importers said the suspension of MEAT exports from Brazil due to two cases of mad cow disease did not have an immediate impact on the market, and some of them all expect trade to resume quickly, REUTERS reported.

Brazil, the world's largest beef exporter, has suspended exports of beef to its main buyer, CHINA, after confirming two cases of "atypical" mad cow disease at two separate meat processing plants.

The suspension of exports is a major blow to Brazilian farmers, with China and Hong Kong buying more than half of Brazil's beef exports.

"Atypical" rabies is considered to be less risky than the classic form of the disease because it occurs naturally and only sporadically in older cattle.

Brazil shipped more than 500,000 tons of beef to China from January to July this year, or 38% of China 's total beef imports , well ahead of No. 2 supplier Argentina, which shipped just under 300,000 tons, according to Chinese customs data.