China has renewed export registrations for hundreds of U.S. pork and poultry processing facilities, providing relief to American farmers and meat exporters who had faced the risk of losing access to the world’s largest meat import market.
According to industry sources, the updated registrations will now remain valid through 2030. These renewals were confirmed on China’s customs website and follow recent concerns when nearly two-thirds of U.S. meat plant registrations—originally granted under the 2020 Phase 1 trade agreement—were listed as expired.
While pork and poultry plants have received renewed clearance, U.S. beef facilities remain in limbo, with their registrations still showing as expired. This delay is reportedly tied to China’s efforts to control beef imports amid a domestic oversupply.
U.S. pork producers, already navigating retaliatory tariffs and global market pressures, welcomed the news.
“We’re pleased to see progress on the pork facilities and hoping for similar news on beef as soon as possible,” said Joe Schuele, spokesperson for the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Although exports had continued despite the expired listings, uncertainty loomed over how long shipments would be allowed without official renewals.
China remains a critical market for U.S. pork. In 2024, U.S. meat exports to China totaled $2.5 billion, making the U.S. the second-largest exporter by value behind Brazil. Pork remains a central product in that trade, even as avian flu concerns have constrained poultry exports.
Beijing’s decision to renew these registrations stabilizes U.S.-China meat trade at a time when the agricultural sector is contending with broader global trade frictions, including new Chinese tariffs—10% on pork, beef, and dairy—imposed earlier this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has yet to comment officially on the renewals, though it previously raised concerns that China’s failure to act would breach the Phase 1 trade pact terms.
For now, the renewal is a win for American pork producers—but the spotlight now shifts to beef, as exporters await similar action to avoid disruptions in that sector.
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Swine Web Staff
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to monitor trade developments impacting the pork industry.
