DENVER – Over the past year, five U. S. hog facilities have become eligible to export to Malaysia, and a few others were recently approved without the need for an on-site audit, supporting significant expansion in that market.
While Malaysia has in the past maintained a cumbersome procedure for approving American plants, the country is emerging as a promising destination for American red meat as it adjusts its procedure, according to the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Malaysia is pushing to remove barriers such as on-site audits for export approval and the requirement for a single paper application.
“Malaysia had asked to come and do a physical audit of five hog facilities,” said Jim Remcheck, USMEF export services director. “They were looking for a variety of five facilities to be physically audited and then if all five pig factories passed after the audit, all long-term pig factories that wish to register in Malaysia can do so through a paper application procedure and not having to submit a declaration. A physical audit to register.
Remcheck believes that the recent approval of a pig facility without an on-site audit is a “harbinger of things to come. “
Last year, US red meat exports to Malaysia reached 5,170 tonnes and $16. 3 million, more than 1,500% of 2022 levels. As of May this year, exports were about 50% higher than the speed of 2023, already exceeding 10 million dollars in value.
Other factors contributing to the expansion of US red meat exports to Malaysia are the effect of African swine fever (ASF) on domestic production and tight supply of European red meat.
Since Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, a large portion of the population abstains from eating pork. However, the non-Muslim part of the population has a higher demand for pork.
The USMEF is also applying to have more farm animal facilities approved in Malaysia, although this procedure has proven to be challenging.
“Since there is no halal facet to red meat approvals, we are in a situation where we can do this process on paper,” Remcheck said. “When it comes to approving a beef production facility, not only does the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia have to worry about the physical audit, but its halal authority will also have to worry. This makes things much more confusing for the beef.