The United States and South Africa have announced that the countries have agreed on the framework to provide for renewed market access for U.S. bone-in chicken into the South African market. The Governments also agreed to a firm set of actions this month to resolve the remaining sanitary issues related to poultry, pork, and beef. 

Reuters Africa reported that South Africa will end punitive duties on U.S. chicken and renew imports, initially 65,000 tons a year, under the agreement reached by the two countries, South Africa's trade and industry minister said.

A statement from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said, “While both sides recognize it may take some time for the South African government to complete its regulatory process, both sides are committed to expedite processes and resume shipments of U.S. chicken as quickly as possible. Both Governments and industries have committed to further engagements on development issues that will enhance production in South Africa as well as participation of Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs) into the poultry industry.”

South Africa imposes "anti-dumping" duties of above 100 percent on certain chicken products and industry groups said removing those import barriers opened a market which had been closed for the last 15 years.

The deal was "within the tolerance of the (South African poultry) industry and is something we can all live with,” Rob Davies told Reuters in a telephone conversation from Paris, where the deal was concluded.

Sources: Reuters, Office of the United States Trade Representative