November 25, 2019

172 US poultry plants approved for exports to China

Pilgrim's Pride, Tyson Foods and Sanderson Farms are some of the major poultry players approved for exports to China after the ban of US poultry imports was lifted recently, reported South China Morning Post.

Robert Lighthizer, US Trade Representative said China's imports of US poultry is estimated to hit US$1 billion annually.

Industry figures reported chicken exports to China was US$722 million at its peak, with turkey hitting US$71 million.

China banned US poultry imports after a bird flu outbreak in the US in 2015.

The ban on poultry imports from the US was lifted as the African swine fever (ASF) has dwindled swine supplies in China. Demand for protein imports by China has increased as many Chinese consumers prefer chicken even though ASF cannot affect humans.

The ban also was lifted as part of ongoing trade negotiations between the US and China.

-  South China Morning Post