News

Exports top of mind for Minnesota Pork Producers president

The president of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association welcomes the renewal of certificates allowing more U.S. pork exports to China.

Todd Selvik says over 300 U.S. pork harvesting and cold storage facilities have regained access to the Chinese market.

“We really didn’t know how it was going to shake out come Monday, but with the certificates being reinstated on Monday that was a huge win and a big weight off our shoulders.”

He tells Brownfield there are still trade concerns because of potential tariff retaliation.

“We’re not able to sell our pigs for as much as we’d hope, and having those tariffs and just the threat of the tariffs and not being able to sell to certain markets, it really (creates) extra worry and extra stress and obviously we don’t like it.”

About a quarter of U.S. pork production is exported, with China buying approximately 55 percent of American pork variety meat exports.