The first shipment of fresh U.S. beef has arrived in Brazil following a 13-year hiatus, announces Secretary Sonny Perdue. The USDA says the entrance of American beef into the Brazilian market will bring promising long-term economic opportunity for U.S. beef producers.

“With Brazil’s large market reopened to the United States, U.S. beef exports are poised for new growth. I look forward to Brazilians getting the opportunity to eat delicious American beef, because once they taste it, they’ll want more of it.” said Secretary Perdue.

Brazil closed its market to imports of U.S. fresh beef in 2003 over concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Since then, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have worked continuously with Brazilian officials to regain market access.