The top U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinarian stated this week that to this point eleven countries have limited imports of U.S. live hogs and one country has banned U.S. pork imports in response to the spread of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PEDv) which has killed approximately 10% of the U.S. pig population in the past year. U.S. trade is being affected more than originally expected. El Salvador, Guatemala, and South Africa have banned imports of U.S. live hogs, China, the EU and Russia have limited U.S. hog imports (while four other countries have enacted unofficial limitations), Uzbekistan has banned the importation of all U.S. pork, and Costa Rica has banned the importation of U.S. pork casings. Last year the U.S. exported $6 billion worth of pork and $30.5 million worth of live hogs.
To receive relevant news stories with summaries provided by GAI Research & Insight, subscribe to Global AgDevelopments, our free weekly enhanced eNews service