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Argentina ready to import U.S. pork

Argentina is ready to accept U.S. pork imports for the first time in 25 years. The deal was reached with the United States last August but Ag Secretary Perdue says Argentina has now completed the technical requirements to accept pork imports. Perdue calls it a breakthrough by the administration to “reach new markets and ensure fair trade practices by international partners.” The agreement opens a market for U.S. producers that is worth potentially $10 million a year and is poised to expand. The export certificate allows the shipment of fresh, frozen and processed pork to Argentina.

The US Meat Export Federation says Argentina is strongly interested in the Boston butt and expects good demand for U.S. hams, picnics and trimmings saying the country also holds potential for U.S.-produced processed pork products.

Joe Schuele with USMEF tells Brownfield it’s hard to pinpoint a single reason why Argentina stopped taking U.S. PORK in 1992 because there have been many animal health and political issues between the two countries over the years that have inhibited meat trade. He also says in the early 1990s, the United States was really not a large, global exporter of pork.”

“At that time, about 80 percent of U.S. pork exports went to either Japan or Mexico. The U.S. has greatly expanded its range of export markets over the past two decades, and Argentina is a positive addition.”