Tyson Foods, poultry and meat industries applaud trade deal with Japan
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The U.S. poultry and egg sectors applauded the trade deal announced by the Trump administration on Monday (Aug. 26) between the U.S. and Japan. The National Chicken Council said the deal stands to benefit the poultry industry.
“Frozen chicken, turkey, and processed egg products will receive favorable tariff reductions enabling our products to compete more effectively with those of countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF) and United Egg Producers (UEP) said in a joint statement issued Monday.
Japan is the leading market for U.S. egg product exports and the second-largest market for U.S. turkey exports. Japan also is a very promising market for U.S. chicken companies that are willing to provide the specific chicken cuts that Japanese buyers are seeking, according to Tom Super, spokesman for the National Chicken Council.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said U.S. farmers and ranchers should be pleased about the trade agreement with Japan.
“This is much-needed good news on the agricultural trade front. Top U.S. agricultural exports to Japan currently include beef, corn, pork, soybeans and wheat. We appreciate the administration’s work to secure greater access for these farm goods and others. We look forward to reviewing the details of the agreement,” Duvall said.
Tyson Foods told Talk Business & Politics the meat giant is “pleased to hear the United States and Japan have reached a trade agreement. The agreement demonstrates long-awaited positive movement on trade, and renewed opportunity for U.S. farmers and ranchers, beef and pork producers, and the industry as a whole.”
Japan has also been an important market for U.S. beef and pork. Through June, beef and variety meats exports to Japan totaled more than $1 billion in value, making it the largest global customer for U.S. beef exports. Pork and variety meat exports to Japan through June totaled $773 million in value making it the fifth-largest customer for U.S. pork exports, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
The trade deal with Japan was announced amid an escalating trade war with China. The poultry industry is watching the trade situation, but poultry has not been exporting products to China since the 2015 avian influenza outbreak in turkey and layers in the Midwest.
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