U. S. negotiators finalized a trade deal to export American pork to Argentina for the first time since 1992, the White House announced Thursday.
U. S. negotiators finalized a trade deal to export American pork to Argentina for the first time since 1992, the White House announced Thursday.
“Today’s announcement is a big win for American pork producers and proves that President [Donald] Trump is getting real results for America’s farmers and ranchers, ” Vice President Mike Pence said in press release.
Argentina blocked American pork in the early 1990s over food safety concerns, but Trump’s administration opened up reintroducing American pork imports when Argentine President Mauricio Macri visited the White House April 27, the White House said.
“After 25 years of discussions, America’s pork producers will soon be able to export their fine product to Argentina. This is one more example of the commitment of President Trump and his entire Administration to breaking down international trade barriers and making free and fair trade a win-win for American workers, farmers, and our trading partners.”
Argentina could be a $10 million-per-year market for American pork producers, according to the White House. Argentina’s demand for pork has been growing in recent years as the price of beef has risen, Global Meat News reported in 2016. “Traditionally, pork wasn’ t very well known in Argentina, ” Daniel Urcia, executive director of Argentina’s Association of Meat Slaughterhouses and Processors, told Global Meat News. “Now, it’s gaining acceptance, mostly because of the lower price.”
The Department of Agriculture’s 2016 report on Argentina’s increasing acceptance of pork as protein source put it this way: “Argentines currently buy pork 3 times a month, while ten years ago it was just once a month.”
Representatives of the National Pork Producers Council traveled to Argentina in late July to discuss reopening the pork market, and have been working closely with the administration.
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