translated from Spanish: Costa Rica delivers first pork export to China

San Jose.- The Authorities of Costa Rica reported on Monday that the first export of pork arrived in China to that nation, after a long process of negotiation and health approvals that began in 2013.The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock revealed that last Saturday it arrived at Shenzhen Port, in Guandong, China, the cargo of 24,000 kilos of meat that sailed from Caldera , province of Puntarenas (Pacific), on February 14 last.

According to the Costa Rican Chamber of Porcicultors, after this first export, sales to China have continued and approximately 20 shipments have already been sent to the Asian country, for a total of approximately 480 metric tons on the way. Currently, there are seven pig farms, two processing establishments and one exporter authorized to ship pork to the Asian giant. To get the latest news about coronavirus, sign up by clicking on this space and we’ll send you the information instantly. Health requirements set out in the protocol signed between the two nations include biosecurity measures, ensuring that meat comes from healthy animals, born and raised in Costa Rica, and certification that frozen pork is free of contaminants or pathogens. Costa Rica can export to China chops, ribs, paddles, fat, skin, legs, tubes and ears of pig origin. In addition, beef, dairy products and aquaculture and fishery products (tuna and prawns) are exported. Costa Rica thus became the first country in Central America to enter China with pork and the fifth in Latin America alongside Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Argentina.The result is the product of a process of negotiations that began in 2013 with the signing of a protocol on veterinary and health requirements. In 2016, the Chinese authorities audited potential exporting establishments and in December 2019 the Food Import and Export Security Bureau of the General Administration of Customs of China gave its official approval to importation. The Chinese authorities have designated the National Animal Health Service the role of ensuring compliance with the protocol and health legislation regulating the trade in pork for approved establishments. 

Original source in Spanish