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Added COVID-related measures slow product movement into China

An official with the US Meat Export Federation says China’s added COVID-related testing measures for imported products are slowing product movement into the country.

Joel Haggard is senior vice president for the Asia Pacific.  “At first, the testing was only done at ports during the product clearing process and on a sampled basis,” he says.  “But now China has implemented new rules mandating that all imported meat and poultry be tested again at inland cold stores and distribution centers before moving on to end-users like supermarkets and restaurants.”

And with the rise in COVID cases among port and airport workers, China has also implemented additional disinfection and tracing measures. 

Haggard says China is entering its peak meat buying season and the delays are coming at an inopportune time.  “There have been some slowdowns of product clearance at ports, as importers look to find approved warehouses where products can be disinfected,” he says.  “And then there’s been a slowdown in the movement of products as wholesalers need to get their COVID tests and disinfection certificates.”

Haggard says he anticipates the obstacles having less of an impact moving forward as China’s vaccination programs help curb new COVID outbreaks.