U.S. restarts pork trade to Argentina

The Department of Agriculture and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative finalized an agreement with Argentina’s Ministry of Agro-Industry to restart pork exports to the South American market.    The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Office of the Trade Representative finalized an agreement with Argentina’s Ministry of Agro-Industry to restart pork exports to the South American market.
   U.S. pork has not been exported to Argentina since 1992.
   USDA said the new agreement includes new terms for pork market access that are “practical, science-based and consistent with relevant international animal health standards.”
   The United States is the world’s biggest pork exporter, with global sales totaling $6.5 billion last year. According to USDA, the reopened Argentine market could generate as much as $10 million per year for American pork producers. 
   The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) noted that Argentina is the third-largest port importing country in South America, just behind Chile and Colombia. 
   As a result of the reopened pork market, USMEF South America representative Jessica Julca will meet with pork importers in Argentina next week. 
   “Significant interest in the Boston butt has already emerged and we anticipate demand for U.S. hams, picnics and trimmings to be used as raw material for further processing. Argentina also holds potential for U.S.-produced processed pork products,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom in a statement.
   USMEF said U.S. pork exports have experienced significant growth in South America in recent years, with most of the volume destined for Colombia, Chile and Peru. U.S. pork also is exported to Ecuador and Uruguay and recently gained access to Paraguay.