US meat plants to lose China export access as trade dispute escalates
Hundreds of US meat plants risk losing access to China as registrations expire. The lapse could disrupt billions in trade amid escalating US-China tensions.
USA – Hundreds of US meat processing facilities that gained access to China under a 2020 trade deal are set to lose their export eligibility, raising concerns over the future of an estimated US$5 billion trade relationship with the world’s largest meat market.
The potential loss of access follows Beijing’s decision to impose retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural products earlier this month, including a 10% duty on pork, beef, and dairy imports valued at US$21 billion.
China requires food exporters to register with its customs authority to sell in the country, and registrations for nearly 1,000 beef, pork, and poultry plants are set to expire.
The list includes facilities owned by major companies like Tyson Foods and Cargill Inc, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Chinese customs.
This represents about two-thirds of all US meat plants registered for exports to China. Some facilities have already seen their approvals lapse, with 84 plants losing their registration in February.
While shipments from those plants continue to clear customs, industry officials say there is no clarity on how long China will allow imports from unregistered facilities.
Joe Schuele, spokesperson for the US Meat Export Federation, said the uncertainty poses a significant risk for exporters who are unsure if their products will be accepted.
The USDA has made resolving the issue a priority in discussions with Beijing, but China has not responded to repeated US requests for renewal.
Stricter inspections at Shanghai port have further complicated exports, according to a bulletin seen by Reuters.
Some shipments are being subjected to full unpacking and inspection, increasing delays and additional fees for exporters.
However, not all plants face an immediate cut-off. Several hundred facilities have had their registrations renewed until 2028 or 2029, according to a senior diplomat in Beijing.
This suggests that China is not enforcing a blanket ban but is selectively renewing approvals.
The US was China’s third-largest meat supplier last year after Brazil and Argentina, accounting for 590,000 tons or 9% of China’s total meat imports.
In 2020, 1,124 US beef, pork, and poultry plants were registered to export to China under the “Phase 1” trade agreement.
Today, 1,842 facilities are certified, but that number could drop to less than half if registrations are not renewed.
The deal requires China to update its approved plant list within 20 days of receiving updated records from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
However, it remains unclear if the current delays constitute a violation.
According to the US Meat Export Federation, the potential impact of lost access could amount to US$4.13 billion for the beef industry and US$1.3 billion for pork exporters.
The loss would be particularly severe for companies exporting parts such as chicken feet and pork offal, which have strong demand in China but are less popular in the US market.
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