Carrefour, one of the world’s largest supermarket chains, operates in over 30 countries, including Brazil and Argentina, two key members of the Mercosur trade bloc. Despite its global presence, Carrefour has faced challenges in some markets, notably exiting Mexico in 2005 amidst tough competition from local chains and Walmart.
Last week, Alexandre Bompard, CEO of Carrefour Group, ignited controversy with a statement on X (formerly Twitter), declaring that Carrefour would stop selling meat from Mercosur countries. He cited concerns about “the risk of overflowing the French market with meat production that does not meet requirements and standards” as the primary reason.
Backlash from Mercosur Producers
The announcement prompted swift and strong reactions, particularly from the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), which accused Bompard of using standards compliance as a guise for protectionist measures. The ABPA stated, “The argument is clearly used for protectionist purposes,” highlighting that Mercosur countries produce “high-quality products that meet all the criteria established by the health authorities of the importing countries, as is the case of Brazilian protein.”
Compliance and Quality
Bompard’s assertion was widely criticised, with industry experts pointing out that no country would import food products that fail to meet stringent health standards. Importing countries, including those in the European Union, conduct rigorous inspections and authorise production facilities before allowing imports. Brazilian chicken processing plants, for example, undergo regular inspections by foreign health authorities to ensure compliance.
Critics argue that Mercosur’s success as a major global exporter of animal protein is not accidental but a result of adhering to international standards and consistently delivering high-quality products.
Retraction and Damage Control
Following the backlash, Bompard retracted his initial statement and issued more positive remarks about Brazilian animal protein producers. However, many believe the damage was already done. The retraction did little to mitigate perceptions of Carrefour’s stance as inconsistent and protectionist.
A Double Standard?
The controversy has also raised questions about Carrefour’s approach to globalisation. Critics have pointed out the apparent contradiction in Carrefour’s operations. While the company expands its supermarkets across 30 countries, it refuses to import Mercosur meat, citing compliance issues that Mercosur producers and authorities have strongly refuted.
The incident has left industry stakeholders questioning Carrefour’s true motives and the implications for international trade relationships. Alexandre Bompard’s statements have underscored the delicate balance between globalisation, market protection, and the credibility of food safety standards in global trade.