December 29, 2004

Kuwait Lifts US Beef Import Ban

Kuwait has lifted a beef import ban from the United States, with the exception of the State of Washington. Kuwait is the first country among the four Arab Gulf Cooperation (GCC) Countries that banned US beef imports in late 2003 to cancel the ban.

The Kuwaiti decision on maintaining the import ban on the State of Washington results from the Food Safety Committee's doubts on the elimination of the BSE risk in the state.

During 2003, Kuwait imported $32.2 millions worth of US beef products, FOB basis. In 2004, from January to October, US exports fell to $ 5.9 million. US beef exports to Kuwait are expected to resume strongly in 2005.