Embargo on Belgian pork is disappearing in more and more countries
After the discovery of African swine fever in our country in September 2018, the export of Belgian pork to countries outside the EU was completely restricted. Now three years later, 14 countries have already lifted this export ban. A step in the right direction, but for an important importing country like China, the end of the negotiations is not yet in sight.
16 more countries to go
At the end of last year, the World Organization for Animal Health officially declared our country disease-free. Immediately afterwards, the FASFC started negotiations with the 30 countries outside the EU that had banned the import of pork from Belgium. Nine months later, Japan is the fourteenth country to lift the embargo. The borders have already been reopened for Belgian pork by Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Nicaragua, New Caledonia, Ukraine, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Uruguay, Vietnam, Belarus, South Africa and South -Korea.
Full value of the pig
Before African swine fever appeared in our country, approximately 100,000 tons of pork per year left Belgium for third countries (non-EU countries). In the knowledge that 80 to 90 percent is intended for the Belgian market and our neighboring countries, that share is quite small. However, exports to distant countries such as China, South Korea and the Philippines – the largest buyers outside the EU in 2018 – are important for the value of the pig. Certain parts of the pig that are not or less popular in the West can be sold for a nice price. In this way, the maximum is obtained from a carcass.
On speaking terms
Since the end of September, Japan has allowed the import of Belgian pork again. The Land of the Rising Sun does not import very large volumes, but the country is an example in the region. The rules in the field of food safety are very strict. The reopening of this market is therefore an important signal for countries from this region that have not yet lifted the embargo. In any case, the negotiations with Australia and Taiwan are progressing well, with China the sky does not seem to be clearing yet.
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Source: vilt.be
