Chinese authorities approved new Brazilian meat exporting plants on Tuesday, according to the Brazilian agriculture ministry, a highly anticipated move as the two nations continue to strengthen trade ties, reported Reuters.
The approvals come as China seeks to increase meat imports to compensate for the death of around half of its pig herd from African swine fever.
In the 10 months through October, Brazilian meatpackers exported nearly $3 billion of poultry, beef and pork byproducts to the Asian nation, according to data compiled by industry groups Abiec and ABPA.
The list of units approved on Tuesday, 13 in total, features five pork, five beef and three poultry plants, according to the ministry’s statement.