More U.S. ag products eligible for export to China

The USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today announced additional progress in the implementation of the U.S.-China phase one trade deal, entered into force February 14, 2020.

In recent weeks, China updated its lists of U.S. facilities eligible to export beef, pork, poultry, seafood, dairy, and infant formula products to China. As a result, China's lists now include 499 beef, 457 pork, 470 poultry, 397 seafood, 253 dairy, and nine infant formula facilities.

"China is a market of tremendous potential for U.S. agriculture, and these actions will help U.S. exporters expand their sales there," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. "We look forward to continued cooperative work with China on implementation of Phase One commitments, and immediate increases in U.S. exports of all manner of agricultural products."

U.S. barley for processing, along with the forage products Timothy hay, alfalfa hay pellets and cubes, and almond meal pellets and cubes can now be exported to China. In 2019, China imported $1.5 billion of barley used as feed and for malt beverage production, and a record $500 million of forage products.

On May 15, China published a new standard for dairy permeate powder for human consumption that will allow more imports from the U.S. in the future. In 2019, China imported nearly $12 billion of dairy products from around the world.

"China has worked with the United States to implement measures that will provide greater access for U.S. producers and exporters to China's growing food and agricultural markets," said USTR Robert Lighthizer. "Under President Trump's leadership, we fully expect this agreement to be a success."

U.S. blueberries and California Hass avocados can now be exported to China as well. In 2019, China imported a record volume of fresh fruits and vegetables exceeding $8.6 billion.