Tyson Plans to Find Other Export Markets after China Bans
Production
Tyson Foods plans on seeking other export markets for pork products that were recently banned from China because of ractopamine use. Last week, USDA announced China was barring future imports of pork from six U.S. processing plants and six cold storage facilities due to the use of the feed additive. Tyson announced the company is seeking other export markets, but would not disclose what those markets could be. Tyson spokesperson Gary Mickelson told Reuters “We’re confident about the safety and quality of our pork and will work with the USDA to try to resolve China’s concerns.” How long the Chinese ban on pork from these plants will remain in place is not known.
Exports of pork to China last year was valued at $645.2 million and this year’s exports totals for U.S. pork are expected to break records. Reuters speculated China may be trying to slow pork imports down because their domestic supply has grown this year. Three Tyson facilities, including the Logansport, Indiana plant, were named in the ban announced last week along with a Hormel Foods plant, Quality Pork Processors of Minnesota and Triumph Foods in Missouri.
