U.S. pork exports to Malaysia have gained significant momentum in recent months, due in part to the impact of African Swine Fever on domestic production and tightening supplies of European pork. While Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, the non-Muslim portion of its population has a very strong appetite for pork.
Last year U.S. pork exports to Malaysia reached 5,170 metric tons valued at $16.3 million – up more than 1,500% from 2022. Through May of this year, exports are about 50% above the 2023 pace, already topping $10 million in value.
Jim Remcheck, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) director of export services, explains that in the past, it was difficult for U.S. pork plants to gain eligibility for Malaysia.
“Malaysia had requested to come do a physical audit of five pork facilities,” Remcheck says. “They wanted a selection of five facilities to physically audit. If all five pork plants passed the audit any future pork plants wanting to be registered for Malaysia could do so via a paper application process and not have to post a physical audit.”
Just recently a sixth pork facility was approved to export. Approving beef plants has been more complicated, but USMEF continues working on the process.
“Because there’s no halal aspect to the pork approvals we are in a scenario in which we can do this paper process,” Remcheck says. “When it comes to approving a beef facility, not only does the Malaysia department of veterinary services need to be involved in the physical audit, but their halal authority does as well.”
