By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter

For the first time in 26 years, American companies may now send U.S.-grown pork to Argentina.

The White House first announced an agreement with Argentina in August. Since then, the two countries have been working together to iron out the technical details of the deal.

“This breakthrough is the result of efforts by this administration to help America’s farmers and ranchers reach new markets and ensure fair trade practices by our international partners,” Sonny Perdue, U.S. secretary of agriculture, said. “Once the people of Argentina get a taste of American pork products after all this time, we’re sure they’ll want more of it.”

Argentina is open to a full range of pork muscle cuts. Many pork variety meat items are also eligible, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

“Our organization feels like USDA (the U.S. Department of Agriculture) and USTR (U.S. Trade Representative) did a phenomenal job in getting this deal done. Access is pretty much wide open on the cuts side. This provides more avenues, more alternatives for destinations for some of these key cuts in a time of large production,” Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO, said. “We’re excited, and we’re ready to go to work in the region.”

Argentina will initially be a smaller market for U.S. pork but is expected to grow over time.

“Estimates are we’re looking at $10 million a year in sales. We see a lot of upside potential from that number especially with some key products. We already know that Argentina is going to have demand for boneless shoulder butts. We also think there’s opportunity for some of the raw material for further processing—things like picnics and hams,” Halstrom said. “Undoubtedly, it could very well be a good market for variety meats as well.”

U.S. pork is already sold in nearby Columbia, Chile and Peru.

“The relationship building, the work with the trade, is ongoing,” Halstrom said. “At this point, every market is important for the U.S. producers. This is another one that’s going to add value to some of the key cuts.”

According to USMEF, Brazil is currently Argentina’s primary supplier of imported pork.

In 2017, Argentina reportedly imported just over 35,000 metric tons of pork and pork variety meat. The majority, 32,500 metric tons, was from Brazil.

Argentina’s per capita pork consumption has grown rapidly over the past several years. According to USDA, consumption has grown nearly 60 percent to 13.5 kilograms since 2011.

It is the third largest pork importing country in South America.

“We’re very excited. We’ve been standing at the door knocking, and we finally got in,” Nick Giordano, vice president and counsel of Global Government Affairs for National Pork Producers Council, said in an interview with USDA’s Newsline.

The United States is the world’s top port exporter. Global sales totaled $6.5 billion last year.