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The meat shipped last week by a South Omaha meatpacker was reported to be the first shipment of U.S. beef to China since 2003 after officials sealed a long-sought trade deal this month.
“This is a big deal. It’s definitely very positive news,” said Lee Schulz, an Iowa State University Extension livestock economist.
“This is a big deal. It’s definitely very positive news,” said Lee Schulz, an Iowa State University Extension livestock economist.
Before China closed the door on U.S. beef, it imported $70 million worth of beef annually, with the United States supplying 80 percent of that. Today, China imports about $2.6 billion worth of beef every year. Last year, Chinese beef imports totaled 601,000 tons and demand is expected to increase ninefold in four years.
“So if we can even have a portion of that coming back for Iowa producers, that’s a celebration for producer profitability,” Freland said.
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/ne...arket-20170627
“So if we can even have a portion of that coming back for Iowa producers, that’s a celebration for producer profitability,” Freland said.
http://www.thegazette.com/subject/ne...arket-20170627
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