Tyson Foods secures approval to begin poultry exports to China

US-based meat producer Tyson Foods has secured approval from the US and Chinese authorities to export its poultry products to China.

According to Reuters, the company received approval to export poultry products from all of its 36 facilities located in the US.

Tyson Foods chief supply chain officer noted that the company will begin its exports to China from early next year.

Last month, the Chinese Government revoked the ban on importing poultry products from the US after nearly five years. The US poultry producers ship goods worth $1bn to China annually.

This decision came as a result of negotiations between the countries to resolve their 16-month long trade war.

A recent outbreak of African Swine Flu (ASF) forced the Chinese Government to order the killing of millions of pigs. This has reportedly created a deficit in meat in China, which led to a sharp rise in meat prices.

Tyson Foods is one of the largest meat producers in the US. It expects China to import more pork and poultry from the US to meet this shortfall.

The company has reportedly been working towards securing approval for labels on poultry exported to China.

In addition to Tyson Foods, companies such as Sanderson and Pilgrim’s Pride Corp have received approval to export their poultry products to China, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).