Indonesia and Australia Commit to Trade Agreement

Indonesia and Australia last week concluded negotiations on the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The partnership deepens the trade ties between the countries, benefiting a multitude of industries, including agriculture. The National Pork Producers Council says the organization is pushing for full access to the Australian market, noting that pork is the largest U.S. agricultural export to Australia. However, NPPC says market access has been restricted through Australia's prohibition on selling chilled and frozen U.S. pork at retail. NPPC says that decision was not based on science.

Dermot Hayes of Iowa State University says U.S. pork exports would increase significantly if Australia eliminated its “unjustified restrictions.” Australia is not a large market, but was ranked as 10th in pork imports in 2017.

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