Exports to China and H-2A Restrictions
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**The flow of U.S. farm exports to China has increased since the two nations signed a "Phase 1" trade agreement in January, but an American Farm Bureau Federation analysis shows sales to China have so far not kept pace with commitments in the agreement.
The COVID-19 pandemic has played a role, AFBF says, in part because it has slowed U.S. meat processing for export.
**The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives is sounding the alarm about restrictions on the movement of H-2A workers within Mexico during this pandemic.
According to thepacker.com, the group is pressing Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to urge the State Department to work with Mexican officials to ensure H-2A guest workers can reach U.S. consulates in that country.
There have been increasing reports that differing quarantine laws and definitions of “essential workers” are causing difficulties for workers moving between various Mexican states.
https://www.thepacker.com/article/farm-group-concerned-over-movement-restrictions-h-2a-workers?mkt/
**Both the volume and value of U.S. dairy exports were up in March over last year, the seventh straight month of positive growth.
Milkbusiness.com reports, it remains unclear what effect the COVID-19 pandemic will have on sales moving forward.
With the peso down 20% since January, even though the value of sales to Mexico were up in March, Mexico bought 19% less nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder in terms of volume, the largest volume drop in two years.
https://www.milkbusiness.com/article/volume-value-of-dairy-exports-up-march?mkt/
