Argentina to Start Accepting US Pork Imports

Eight months after it was first announced (see 1708170046), Argentina and the U.S. have hammered out the details of how U.S. pork exports to Argentina will resume, 26 years after that country banned the product. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced the agreement on April 13. "This breakthrough is the result of efforts by this Administration to help America’s farmers and ranchers reach new markets and ensure fair trade practices by our international partners," Perdue said in a statement. "Once the people of Argentina get a taste of American pork products after all this time, we’re sure they’ll want more of it." The U.S. estimates volumes could be $10 million a year -- which is one-tenth the size of the Chinese market, where new 15 percent tariffs have been applied to U.S. pork (see 1804020009). The National Pork Producers Council welcomed the news with a statement from President Jim Heimerl.