Bolivian Market Now Open to U.S. Red Meat

Effective June 10, U.S. red meat is eligible for export to Bolivia.

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's new Export Library entry for Bolivia, U.S. meat and meat products produced in the U.S. are eligible, along with casings derived from livestock slaughtered under inspection in the United States.

All federally inspected plants are eligible for export, but USMEF is seeking information on the specific company and product registration details for Bolivia.

Last year Bolivia reported beef imports of 1,831 metric tons (mt), mainly from Brazil along with small volumes from Argentina. Imports were valued at $2.6 million. Pork imports, which were almost entirely from Brazil, totaled 443 mt valued at about $1 million.

Bolivia’s imports of sausages, which are mainly from Brazil, totaled more than 5,000 mt in 2016 (valued at $5.7 million, suggesting low-cost poultry sausages might account for most of the trade) but were reported at just 446 mt last year, valued at $474,000. Bolivia also imports prepared beef products from Brazil (1,422 mt in 2019, valued at $1.7 million) and small volumes of prepared pork products.

Most South American suppliers have duty-free access to Bolivia, which is an associate member of the Mercosur trade bloc. U.S. beef, pork and lamb muscle cuts and variety meats entering Bolivia will be subject to a 10% duty rate. The 10% rate also applies to most other red meat products, with the exception of prepared or preserved beef (HS Code 160250), for which the rate is 20%, and prepared or preserved pork (HS Code 1602), which is subject to duties of 10% to 20%. Duty rates for poultry also range from 10% to 20%.

Exporters with questions may contact Cheyenne McEndaffer.