It is estimated that each of the 58 largest companies in the meat industry incurred a loss between 50,000 and 100,000 euros,” stated Graça Mariano, the executive director of APIC.
Meanwhile, 63 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the sector faced losses ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 euros each.
A widespread power outage affected Portugal and Spain on Monday from 11:30 AM, with authorities yet to provide an explanation.
The blackout resulted in airport closures, disrupted transportation and traffic in major cities, and fuel shortages.
The electricity distribution network operator, E-Redes, assured on Tuesday that the service has been fully restored and normalized.
Also on Tuesday, APIC called for the creation of a support line and the prohibition for energy companies to claim force majeure regarding costs arising from the blackout, which led to the cessation of animal dispatch for consumption.
Graça Mariano also expressed concern that companies are losing investment capacity due to the “excessive caution and lack of common sense” of Portuguese entities, specifically mentioning the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV), the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE), and the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DGADR).
