U.S. pork exporters are breathing a sigh of relief this week as Mexico fully removed pseudorabies (PRV) restrictions, ending a trade disruption that was costing the industry an estimated $7 million per week.
Mexico’s removal of all PRV restrictions on U.S. pork offal products this week is opening up trade, says U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror. Not only does this open up opportunities for new production, but also for pipeline product that had backed up while the restrictions were in place.
A Clean Lift
When PRV was found in five boars in Iowa at the end of April, Mexico placed restrictions on a wide range of pork offal and variety meats, from skins, jowls and snouts to stomach and hearts. Although those restrictions were modified in early June to allow shipments from states other than Iowa and Texas, source verification requirements and the importance of Iowa as the leading hog-producing state continued to pose significant obstacles for exporters.
“We had communicated repeatedly to U.S. government to make sure that they understood that it was absolutely essential for these ‘quote unquote’ pipeline products to be able to be exported to Mexico,” Borror says. “The really good news was that when Mexico lifted the restrictions, it was a clean lifting of those restrictions, and we greatly appreciate the efforts across USDA and, of course, led by APHIS, since these are animal health issues.”
Global Outlook
The move by Mexico mirrors a global trend, as Chile, Colombia and South Korea also rolled back PRV-related requirements this week.
“A couple other countries with certificate language that should likely also be updated soon, and we can put this whole chapter behind us,” Borror says.
The Final Hurdle
China – the largest destination for U.S. pork variety meat – has not formally imposed PRV-related import restrictions, but it is requiring 100% testing of offal shipments from the U.S.
“This is a significant obstacle due to product taking three to five weeks to clear, which results in significant demurrage costs (fees for holding containers at the port),” USMEF points out.
