Canada has halted imports from the largest U.S. pork processing plant, operated by Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, North Carolina, citing noncompliance issues, the company confirmed Friday.
The suspension follows escalating trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa over tariffs, raising concerns about potential retaliatory measures that could impact U.S. agricultural exports.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that the suspension aligns with standard protocols and is not linked to ongoing trade disputes. However, neither the USDA nor Smithfield, the nation’s top pork processor, provided specific details on the violations that led to the ban.
“Under Canada’s policy, three noncompliance issues within six months result in a temporary suspension,” the USDA noted in a statement.
The import ban restricts a key market for U.S. pork products. Canada was the fifth-largest destination for American pork exports in 2023, with shipments valued at approximately $850 million.
The USDA is working with Smithfield to resolve the compliance concerns and draft a corrective action plan for submission to Canadian authorities.
“Once reviewed and accepted, Canada may consider reinstating the plant’s export eligibility,” the agency added.
Smithfield spokesman Jim Monroe clarified that the issue pertains to a “limited number of certain offal shipments.” The company’s shares remained largely unchanged following the announcement.
The import halt took effect Thursday, according to a USDA report. The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily exempted Canada and Mexico from newly imposed 25% tariffs on imported goods under the North American trade agreement.
Smithfield, which owns brands such as Eckrich and Nathan’s Famous, recently returned to a U.S. stock exchange following a spin-off from its former Hong Kong-based parent company, WH Group.
