By Brazil Stock Guide – JBS SA (JBSS3.SA) delivered its first batch of fully traceable beef from the state of Pará on Monday (3), a move the company says marks a major milestone for sustainable cattle production in Brazil. The 12-ton batch, produced by its Friboi unit, will be sold at Atacadão stores, the wholesale arm of Carrefour Brasil (CRFB3.SA), in Belém. The launch was first reported by Broadcast Agro, the real-time agribusiness service of Grupo Estado.
According to Friboi president Renato Costa, the initiative strengthens transparency across the entire cattle chain. “This is an important milestone for the cattle industry. By supporting producers in adopting best practices, we reinforce our commitment to sustainable and transparent production,” he said. The project is part of Pará’s Sustainable Livestock Program, launched jointly by the state government, JBS, Carrefour, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and other slaughterhouses. It aims to tag 100% of the state’s cattle with electronic identification by 2027.
Carrefour said it already performs traceability by lot through animal transit guides, but the new model identifies each animal individually, including those supplied indirectly. “Individual traceability is a major step forward,” said Nelcina Tropardi, Carrefour’s vice-president for Corporate Affairs, ESG, and Legal. “It allows for more accurate compliance analyses, connects consumers to the product’s origin, strengthens transparency, values local producers, and protects the forest.”
Atacadão CEO Marco Oliveira added that the initiative fits the retailer’s environmental and social strategy. “Pará is showing that it’s possible to produce with quality, responsibility, and compliance, making sustainable practices accessible to all,” he said. The cattle for this first shipment were supplied by AgroCumaru, part of Grupo Mafra, and processed by Friboi. “Traceability is here to stay, and it’s a source of pride to see Pará leading the way,” said AgroCumaru CFO Carlos Mafra Jr.
In the latest quarter, JBS SA reported stronger revenue in its Brazilian operations, driven by higher domestic beef demand and export growth. Its ESG division also highlighted increasing interest from retailers in traceable and deforestation-free products. The company expects this initiative to help expand sales in northern Brazil and strengthen its environmental credentials with global clients.
According to José Otávio Passos, Amazon director at The Nature Conservancy, the Pará program could redefine cattle production in the Amazon. “The first sale of traceable beef marks a new era for Pará’s livestock sector. By reducing deforestation and valuing good practices, this initiative transforms the industry while supporting small producers,” he said.
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