Competing Brazilian meatpackers have joined forces to circumvent problems caused by heavy flooding in Rio Grande do Sul state, where torrential rains severely disrupted operations, Reuters reported, citing a local meat lobby on Tuesday.

Jose Ribas, who presides over Sindicarne in the neighboring state of Santa Catarina, said local meatpackers were working in partnership to overcome logistical hurdles preventing feed and water supplies from reaching chicken and hog farms.

"Companies are helping one another, sharing animal feed and lending trucks," he said by phone, referring to efforts to speed up the arrival of basic supplies to struggling animal farms. "Competition is out of the discussion."

Heavy flooding in Rio Grande do Sul blocked roads, killed livestock, crippled critical infrastructure, and left entire towns and grain fields under water.

Ribas confirmed the death of hogs and poultry on Rio Grande do Sul farms due to the floods, but said it was not possible to estimate the size of the losses.

Four chicken and hog plants are expected to remain halted this week while six are gradually resuming operations, Ribas said.

He declined to specify their locations because he cannot speak for the companies.

ABPA, a national meat lobby, did not provide an immediate comment on the number of halted or disrupted pork and poultry plants in Rio Grande do Sul after the flooding.

On Monday, the group estimated 10 had been halted or partially halted due to lack of personnel and animals to process.