In a first, India allows imports of US pork

THE US has announced that India would allow imports of US pork and pork products for the first time, welcoming the removal of an old block on US farm trade.

US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack and trade representative Katherine Tai made the announcement on Monday (10).

"This new opportunity marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work to gain market access for US pork in India - and it signals positive movement in US-India trade relations," Vilsack said.

At the Trade Policy Forum between the US and India held in New Delhi in November 2021, Tai had spoken about the importance of access to the Indian market for American pork.

"We will continue working with the Indian government to ensure that the US pork industry can begin shipping its high-quality products to consumers as soon as possible," she said.

In 2020, the US was the world's third-largest pork producer and the world's second-largest exporter, with global sales of pork and pork products valued at $7.7 billion (£5.66 bn), according to US Trade Representative data.

Last year, the US exported more than $1.6 bn (£1.18 bn) worth of agricultural products to India.

India had last week said mango and pomegranate exports to the US would start from January-February.

Exports of pomegranate aril to the US and imports of Alfalfa hay and cherries from America would also begin from April this year, the Indian commerce ministry stated on Saturday (8).

(AFP & PTI)