August 14, 2020

Seven meat plants in Argentina stop exports to China due to COVID-19

A source from the Argentine Senasa health agency said seven meat plants in the country have halted exports to China temporarily after COVID-19 cases were detected among their workers, Reuters reported.

The source, who declined to be named said from the seven meat plants, three will begin exports to China once more in the next few days.

China accounted for 75% of the 845,900 tonnes of beef exported by Argentina in 2019.

Argentina and China have come to an agreement that if COVID-19 was detected in an Argentine meat plant, exports from that plant will be suspended until Senasa and Chinese officials approve the plant to resume exports.

11 meat plants in Argentina have been suspended from exporting to China since the pandemic began. These suspensions typically remain in place for one week.

96 meat plants in Argentina are approved for exports to China.

China has strengthened COVID-19 checks at port entry ports after reporting virus traces in frozen chicken imported from Brazil and food packaging samples from Ecuador.

Compared to Brazil and Ecuador, Argentina has reported lower COVID-19 infections because of strict quarantine measures imposed.

Argentina's health ministry confirmed 268,574 COVID-19 cases to date, with 5,246 deaths.

-      Reuters