August 23, 2017

US inks deal to export pork to Argentina

Argentina has agreed to allow US pork to enter its market for the first time since 1992, the US White House has announced.

The agreement between the two nations followed the August 15 meeting between Vice President Mike Pence and President Mauricio Macri of Argentina during Pence's visit to Buenos Aires. President Trump first raised the issue with President Macri during their bilateral meeting at the White House on April 27.

Pence described the agreement as a "big win for American pork producers". 

The US is the world's top pork exporter, and the agreement opens a potential $10-million-per-year market for America's pork producers. Argentina has blocked imports of US pork since 1992, citing animal health concerns. Under the deal, all fresh, chilled, and frozen pork and pork products from US animals will be eligible for export to Argentina.

Currently Brazil is Argentina's primary supplier of imported pork, and will likely export about 32,000 metric tonnes of pork to Argentina this year, valued at about $95 million, according to the US Meat Export Federation.