Russia cuts 2010 pork, poultry import quotas

As expected, Russia has lowered its import quotas for U.S. pork and poultry imports for 2010.

According to a report on meatingplace.com, Russia has cut the U.S. pork quota from this year’s 100-thousand tons to 57,500 tons in 2010.  The import quota for U.S. poultry is down 150-thousand tons, to 600-thousand, in 2010.

U.S. Meat Export Federation spokesman Joe Schuele (shee-lee) says the announcement was not surprising, as Russia had already indicated that cuts were forthcoming. The country has begun working towards self-sufficiency in meat production, with plans to develop its domestic pig breeding industry over the next two years. 

Russia recently banned pork imports from a number of U.S. pork plants, citing banned antibiotic use.