LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- The Chinese government has suspended pork imports from Tyson Fresh Meats Inc.'s processing plant in Logansport, Indiana, pointing to issues with the company's pig feet purchased by China.
The suspension comes at a time when seasonal demand for pork in China is growing due to cooler weather and upcoming festivals in the country.
Tyson said in a statement to DTN the company it hopes to restore those exports.
"We work closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service to ensure that we produce all of our food in full compliance with government safety requirements," Tyson said.
"We're confident our products are safe and we're hopeful consultations between the U.S. and Chinese governments will resolve this matter.
The Indiana pork processing plant produces about three million pounds of pork daily, while more than 250 farmers in nine states provide hogs to the plant.
On Aug. 29, China's National Development and Reform Commission announced it would release pork stockpiles from reserves in September. Chinese consumers have seen pork prices rise this summer. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, pork prices increased by more than 25% in July.
In a statement released that same day, China's customs agency said, "The customs department found problems such as unqualified sensory inspection from the pig trotters exported to China by Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. (registration number 244I) from the United States. It is stipulated that the import declaration of meat products shipped to China by the enterprise from Aug. 29, 2022, will be suspended. The above information has been notified to the USDA."
Earlier this year, China suspended the import of meat products from U.S.-based King Meat Service Inc. as a result of ractopamine detected in its beef sold to China. In addition, China stopped beef imports from U.S.-based AA Meat Products in June for the same issue.
Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com
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