Brazil’s poultry association, Ubabef, reported that the country’s chicken exports should increase by about 3 percent in 2013 after falling in 2012 due to high feed costs.

Brazil, the world's No. 1 beef exporter, is considering retaliation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the countries do not lift the bans.

China and South Africa have halted imports of beef from Brazil following a case of atypical BSE that was confirmed last week.

After it was revealed that a Brazilian cow that died in 2010 contained the proteins linked to BSE, Brazil is working to convince importers that its beef is free of mad cow disease.

The Brazilian government notified the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) of the discovery of the protein believed to cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a cow that died in 2010.

The new plants will add processing capacity of 1.2 million head of cattle by July 2013 and will increase beef production capacity in Brazil by 15 percent.

The 13,000-square-foot facility located in Larajeiras, Caieiras São Paulo will increase manufacturing capacity in response to the growth its clients are experiencing in the region.

JBS SA is leasing two Brazilian poultry plants from France's Group Doux to increase its chicken-processing capacity by 15 percent.

Mayr Bonassi, 62, CEO of Seara Alimentos, will retire at the end of 2012.