By Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he hoped a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc would be finalized by the end of this year,

The Carrefour CEO's comments over an EU-Mercosur trade deal caused disruption to supplies of meat to Brazil stores.

The European Union and four Latin American countries are preparing for a final push to clinch a controversial free trade deal that has been under discussion for 25 years. Backed by Germany and Spain,

The French giant has come out in support of farmers to block the prospect of meat imports from the South America bloc.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed optimism for finalizing a trade deal between the EU and the Mercosur bloc by year-end. Despite French opposition, negotiations progress with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen leading efforts.

After more than 20 years of negotiations, the 27-nation European Union and Mercosur — a South American trade bloc of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia — are still trying to finalize a major trade agreement that is sparking protests by European farmers.

The deal has been 25 years in the making and it aims to create one of the largest free trade zones in the world - but farmers in Europe are heavily opposed to sealing it, saying that they cannot compete with South American livestock producers.