January 18, 2018

All Mexican states get green light to export pork to US

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finalised a rule recognising Mexico free of Classical Swine Fever (CSF), which will allow all states in Mexico to export pork to the United States, Reuters reported.

CSF is a highly contagious viral disease in swine that was eradicated from the US in the late 1970s.

"Mexico in 2017 was our No. 2 export market, so maintaining our good relationship with that country by ensuring fair and reciprocal trade is paramount for our producers," said National Pork Producers Council President Ken Maschhoff.

Last year's pork exports to Mexico through November reached 726,717 tonnes. That accounted for nearly a third of the total US export volume and was valued at US$1.37 billion, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.