March 10, 2025

 

Canada stops imports from Smithfield's North Carolina, US pork processing plant

 

 

Canada has blocked imports from the biggest US pork processing plant, a facility run by Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, North Carolina, the United States, the company said on March 7.

 

The suspension comes as Washington and Ottawa have sparred in a heated dispute over trade tariffs. It is the latest blow for the US farm sector, which has been roiled by concerns that US tariffs will spark retaliation from top importers that reduces demand for US agricultural products.

 

The US Department of Agriculture said the suspension was in line with standard protocols and unrelated to recent trade activity. The agency and Smithfield did not specify what triggered Canada's action.

 

"Under Canada's policy, three noncompliance issues within six months trigger a temporary suspension," USDA said.

 

The USDA is working with Smithfield to address the issues and develop a corrective action plan that will be communicated to Canadian authorities, according to an agency statement.

 

"Once reviewed and accepted, Canada may consider reinstating the plant's export eligibility," the USDA said.

 

Canada halted imports from the facility on March 6, according to a USDA website.

 

"The issue pertains to a limited number of certain offal shipments," Smithfield spokesman Jim Monroe said.

 

- Reuters