Registrations for more than 750 beef and pork facilities allowing them to export to China expired on Sunday, leaving questions about market access for U.S. red meat processors.  U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains that the pork facility registrations were updated over the weekend, maintaining access for more than $1 billion in product annually, largely pork variety meat.

On the beef side, exporters are still waiting for those facility registrations to be renewed, though the pork facility updates are encouraging.

The registrations were first issued under the 2020 Phase One Trade Agreement with China and are now reaching their 5-year expiration. The establishment registrations by the China General Administration of Customs (GACC) are needed for product to clear customs upon entry.  Beef produced prior to the March 16 expiration is still eligible for shipment to China.

Halstrom thanked USDA and USTR for their efforts to resolve this issue, noting facility registration delays are just one example of the many non-tariff trade barriers that often frustrate U.S. exporters.