June 16, 2014

USDA announces new requirements for US pork exports to China

Updated requirements for US pork exports to China have been announced by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

"Pork with FSIS export certificate issuance dates on or after July 1, 2014 must be produced according to the Ractopamine Control Programme below.  Pork casings intended for processing (selection for size and quality) in China and subsequent re-export are exempt from the ractopamine residue control programme," FSIS said.

FSIS also added that three plants are not eligible to export to China until further notice, including Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., in Waterloo, Iowa; Transcontinental Cold Storage in Sioux City, Iowa; and Seaboard Foods in Guymon, Oklahoma.

At the World Pork Expo earlier this month, Iowa State University professor, Dermot Hayes, identifies China as the biggest potential market for US pork.  China is the world's largest producer of pork. However, consumer demand vastly outpaces local production.

China imports were up 16% in the first quarter of 2014 versus 2013.