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Program Updates

USDA Market Access Gains for U.S. Products to China Valued At More Than $700 Million: Demonstrates Continued Progress Under the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement

Published: May 21, 2020

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced additional progress to implement the agriculture-related provisions of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. Both countries have now signed protocols to allow the United States to export into China barley for processing, blueberries, California Hass avocados, almond meal pellets and cubes, Timothy hay, and alfalfa hay pellets and cubes. U.S. producers will be able to export more than $700 million a year in these commodities, upon maturity.

The U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement entered into force on February 14, 2020, and the recent actions described below build upon the actions announced by USDA and USTR on February 25, March 10, and March 24.

On May 13, the United States and China’s national plant protection organization (GACC) published their import requirements for barley for processing and the list of American shippers that can export that barley. With the operational work plan signed on May 8, this new market is now open, and U.S. producers can begin exporting their product. Industry estimates the annual value of this new market to be $660 million, upon maturity.

China is a significant new market for U.S. blueberry producers, worth an estimated $62 million yearly, upon maturity. APHIS and GACC signed a work plan in May outlining the protective measures blueberry producers from across the United States must undertake to export blueberries to China. Fresh blueberries from Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, and North Carolina may be exported to China after treatment. In addition to these states, blueberries from California Washington, and Oregon to China using a systems approach. With these actions completed, producers in 11 States can begin shipping fresh blueberries to China.

Hass avocado producers in California now have a new market worth an estimated $10 million. APHIS and GACC signed a work plan in April outlining the protective measures California producers and shippers must undertake to safely export California Hass avocado to China. On April 26, GACC published the import requirements as agreed upon during the bilateral discussions and posted an approved list of California shippers to their website. With these actions completed, producers in the United States can begin shipping Hass avocados from California to China.

China has also granted access for Timothy hay, alfalfa hay pellets and cubes, and almond meal pellets and cubes from the United States. APHIS and GACC signed the operational work plans on May 8 for each forage product, and GACC posted the final import requirements and shippers list on May 13, opening the new markets.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.