April 24, 2007

US pork exports to Japan seen steady despite import rule change

US pork exports to Japan remains stable despite producers' concerns about new import rules which are about to take effect in May this year.

Producers in Nebraska and Iowa called the new import regulations "confusing", and worried that one animal in violation could jeopardize the lucrative Japanese market.

Pork producers say the information changes should be clear to have a smooth transition.

According to the National Pork Board, Japanese monitoring programs show there haven't been any violations of the rules for pork.

The rules change requires maximum residue limits on all food products for 799 feed additives, veterinary drugs and agriculture chemicals. Some producers had to stop giving hogs these additives for a longer time before slaughter to meet new limits.

The US Meat and Export Federation (USMEF) earlier predicted Japan would still remain the US' biggest pork main market this year and as of February 2007, it has chunked 29 percent of the US pork market share.

Concerns over bird flu and mad cow disease have driven a projected rise of US pork exports to Japan. USMEF data show that as of  August 2006, Japan's US pork imports totaled to US$667 million or 218, 368 metric tones.

The USMEF projects total pork exports may reach 1.33 million tonnes this year.