Key Chinese visit may enable more plants for tripe exports and push for Sirsil's reinstatement

A recent official mission to the People’s Republic of China, led by representatives of Uruguay’s Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), marked a significant step forward in strengthening the “comprehensive strategic partnership” between the two countries.

Gastón Scayola, president of the National Meat Institute (INAC), recalled that the institution’s agenda began on May 12 at a food fair in Saudi Arabia, a market Uruguay is currently exploring. The delegation then traveled to Asia, first visiting Hong Kong and Macao. In Hong Kong, Scayola highlighted a meeting with sanitary authorities, who showed openness to “continue approving” Uruguayan plants, acknowledging the industry's efforts to comply with the market’s health requirements. The visit to Macao—an island that hosts 40 million wealthy Chinese tourists annually and serves as a major entertainment hub with casinos and cultural events—offered a strategic opportunity for promoting Uruguayan beef.

During meetings with Chinese sanitary authorities, the two sides agreed to review Uruguay’s health status and address all pending issues. Scayola strongly emphasized the need to reauthorize one currently suspended plant—Sirsil—and raised concerns over the fact that while some plants are approved to export tripe (including librillo), others are not. He described this as “an asymmetry and an unacceptable injustice.” Chinese customs officials “took note of the issue” and asked for patience, assuring that “this will be resolved shortly.”

Scayola noted that this topic will be addressed again in July during the meeting of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Consultative Committee, which will visit Uruguay. There is a real possibility that these approvals could be achieved during that encounter.

Currently, China has authorized tripe exports from around 50% of the Uruguayan plants that are approved to export beef to the Chinese market.