United States poultry producers will have greater market access to Namibia, which will now accept fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry exports from the United States.
“The announcement today is a win for farmers, a win for exporters, and a win for freedom-loving nations who want access to safe, high-quality U.S. food,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a press release.
Effective July 1, U.S. exporters are eligible to ship fresh, frozen, or chilled poultry and poultry products to Namibia, unlocking a market valued at $15 million. In addition, USDA successfully negotiated the removal of burdensome export and transit permit requirements for processed poultry products — reopening a previously restricted channel.
Namibia’s decision to recognize U.S. food safety standards and the work performed by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, affirms the global reputation of USDA’s inspection system, which ensures that American poultry products are not only competitively priced, but rigorously verified for safety and wholesomeness, said Rollins.
USAPEEC responds
The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) extended its thanks to Rollins, saying the move will also allow poultry from the United States to transit through Namibia once again to access markets within the interior of Africa.
“This announcement is a meaningful win for the entire U.S. poultry industry,” said USAPEEC President & CEO Greg Tyler. “We are grateful for Secretary Rollins’ leadership and the USDA’s persistent efforts to eliminate barriers and grow global demand for American poultry.
“This is exactly the kind of result that’s possible when U.S. agriculture is prioritized. From cutting red tape to building strategic partnerships, USDA’s work continues to pay dividends for our producers and exporters.”
USAPEEC said it remains committed to supporting USDA’s efforts to secure and maintain access to global markets, and to ensuring that high-quality U.S. poultry and egg products reach consumers around the world.