US Beef Arrives in Recently Reopened South African Market
US - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that the first shipment of US beef recently arrived in South Africa following the reopening of the South African market earlier this year.
17 May 2016
1 minute read
"The arrival of US beef in South Africa represents another important milestone in efforts by USDA and the Office of the US. Trade Representative to regain access to this important market," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
"Along with US poultry, South African consumers now have access to high quality, safe and wholesome US beef, and US producers and exporters have gained another valuable market for their products."
On January 7, 2016, after more than two years of intense discussions, the US and the Republic of South Africa concluded an agreement on sanitary barriers and related health certificates for US beef, pork and poultry products exported to South Africa.
The South African market had previously been closed to US poultry since 2000, beef since 2003 and pork since 2013. With the removal of the barriers, US exports of meat to South Africa could reach $75 million annually.
Since the US began shipping poultry, exports to South Africa totalled almost 12,000 metric tons, worth $7.2 million, in the first quarter of 2016.
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