Historic agreement brokered to allow imports of US pork into India

11 Jan 2022 --- The government of India has agreed to allow US pork to enter India, effectively ending a longstanding trade barrier on US agricultural trade.

The deal was brokered by US secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack and attorney and trade representative Katherine Tai and follows a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last September.

“This new opportunity marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work to gain market access for U.S. pork to India – and it signals positive movement in US-India trade relations,” says Vilsack.

Trade policy for US pork
The trade deal follows the revitalization of the US-India Trade Policy Forum held in New Delhi in November 2021. At the time, Ambassador Tai raised the importance of access for US pork with Indian Minister of Commerce, Piyush Goyal.

“India’s agreement to allow US pork imports for the first time is great news and a significant development for US producers and for Indian consumers,” says Tai.

Historically India and the US have had several persistent challenges in their bilateral trade relationship, including in agricultural trade.In 2021, the US exported more than US$1.6 billion of agricultural products to India.

No date has been given yet for the exports to begin. However, Washington is working to ensure the US pork industry can begin shipping products as soon as possible.

Also as part of a new trade deal, India is to resume the export of mangoes and pomegranates to the US. 

Billion dollar pork profits
In 2020, the US was the world’s third-largest pork producer and second-largest exporter, with global sales of pork and pork products valued at US$7.7 billion. In fiscal year 2021, the US exported more than US$1.6 billion of agricultural products to India.

“We will continue working to strengthen the US-India trade relationship and I appreciate Minister Goyal’s efforts to facilitate this important development,” Tai elaborates.

A global coalition established in 2021 aims to accelerate the shift toward responsible meat claiming meat proteins can play a vital role in creating a sustainable food system as long as it is produced and consumed responsibly.

Edited by Inga de Jong