September 30, 2003

Russia Eases Up On US Meat

Russia has agreed to ease quota restrictions on U.S. poultry, pork and beef, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said Monday.

The amounts of exactly how much the Russian quotas will be expanded are not yet available, Zoellick said, but he stressed the deal reached between negotiators ensures U.S. exports will no longer be in danger of being cut.

Russia is the largest foreign market for U.S. poultry, valued at about $700 million a year, according to USTR. U.S. industry. It was feared the new Russian 781,800-ton quota, enacted on May 1, would severely restrict those sales.

"This agreement ensures American poultry, pork and beef exports to Russia at historical levels and adds room for growth," Zoellick said.