US red meat exports promotion body USMEF recently received notification of approval for 18 packer plants in different parts of the US to export beef to China.

USMEF said the 18 plants were the first to gain approval for shipping beef to China in 10 months.

It explained that, in 2020, the two countries had completed an exercise to streamline the approval process for meat exports, but it had become clear as 2023 wore on that a delay had occurred.

According to USMEF’s vice-president for economic analysis, Erin Borror, confirmation of the new approvals from China’s General Administration of Customs prompted “a big sigh of relief” on the part of the US meat industry.

She said she was hopeful of further approvals before the end of 2023.

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