Georgia’s giant poultry industry licks chops after China trade thaw

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black called Beijing’s ban “needless and unscientific” and said the reopening of the Chinese market will “undoubtedly result in expanded opportunities for our producers.”

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson echoed the sentiment, saying Georgia “has a lot to gain” from the announcement as the country’s top poultry producer.

Before the Chinese export ban went into effect, the U.S. exported more than $500 million of poultry to China in 2013, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. The federal agency said it expects Americans will eventually be able to export more than $1 billion in poultry meat and related products to China annually.

It was not immediately clear exactly when exports would restart, but Thursday’s announcement came as the U.S. and China were in the thick of broader trade negotiations.

“America’s producers are the most productive in the world and it is critical they be able to sell their bounty to consumers in other parts of the globe,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, the former Georgia governor whose office helped negotiate with Beijing.