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New Certification Option for U.S. Pork Exports to Peru

Published: Apr 17, 2015

The FSIS Export Library was recently updated to add a new trichinae certification option for U.S. pork and pork products destined for Peru. The updated requirements mirror those recently implemented for Chile, which USMEF reported in the March 20 Export Newsline. Colombia, which is the leading South American market for U.S. pork, adopted the revised trichinae requirements last year.

Previously, fresh/frozen pork destined for Peru had to test negative for trichinosis or be treated/frozen under the requirements detailed in 9 CFR 318.10. But exporters now have three options for certifying pork to Peru, including the new option highlighted below:

  • Test negative for trichinosis
  • Freeze or treat the product pursuant to 9 CFR 318.10
  • NEW OPTION: Product is derived from hogs raised under the Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) program, as certified under an AMS export verification (EV) program

Peru is a much smaller market for U.S. pork than either Colombia ($134 million in 2014) or Chile ($49.3 million), but demand is growing. Pork/pork variety exports to Peru in 2011 were just 400 metric tons (mt) valued at less than $1 million, but last year totaled 1,672 mt valued at $4.5 million.

The revised requirements create an opportunity for U.S. exporters to ship chilled pork to Peru, which could foster growth in the retail and foodservice sectors. Transit time to Peru is several days less than to Chile, so shelf-life concerns present less of an obstacle for chilled pork. But when the product is eligible for relief from trichinosis testing and treatment regulations, freezing requirements are less burdensome. So exporters shipping frozen pork to Peru can also benefit from the reduced time and cost of getting their product to the market.

Exporters may email Cheyenne Dixon or call 303-623-6328 with any questions about the revised requirements or other inquiries regarding the Peruvian market.