U.S. beef recently arrived in South Africa following the reopening of the market earlier this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The first shipment of beef arrived Monday. It’s the first U.S. beef imported to the country since the early 2000s.
Since the first quarter of 2016, the U.S. has shipped nearly 12,000 metric tons of poultry to the country, valued at $7.2 million.
“Along with U.S. poultry, South African consumers now have access to high quality, safe and wholesome U.S. beef, and U.S. producers and exporters have gained another valuable market for their products,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
The country’s decision to allow imports came after two years of discussions ended an agreement on sanitary barriers and related health certificates for U.S. beef, pork and poultry products exported to South Africa, according to USDA.
U.S. exports of meat to South Africa could reach $75 million annually with the removal of the barriers.