The U.S. government has reached agreement with the government of Peru to remove barriers for U.S. beef exports to Peru for the first time since 2003, opening one of the fastest growing markets in Latin America to American beef and beef products. The United States exported $25.4 million in beef and beef products to Peru in 2015 and the export of US beef and beef products has grown substantially since the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) entered into force in 2009, but burdensome certification requirements installed by Peru in 2003 have hampered this growth. The agreement was reached today during Secretary Vilsack’s trade and investment mission to Peru, and effectively removes the barriers, called the Export Verification Program, assuring American ranchers of expanded market access.

“Since 2009, the United States and Peru have enjoyed one of the strongest bilateral trade relationships in the Western Hemisphere, and today it became much stronger,” said Vilsack after meeting with officials from the government of Peru. “Since 2003, USDA and USTR have worked diligently to reopen and expand markets once closed to U.S. beef. This is another win in a long line of successes that led to a near-record U.S. beef and beef product exports in 2015. The Obama Administration will continue to work hard around the world to remove unfair barriers and create a more level playing for America’s farmers, ranchers, producers and rural communities.”

Agricultural exports have climbed more than 35 percent in value since 2009 under the Obama Administration, totaling a record $919.6 billion over the past seven years. Agricultural exports support more than 1 million American jobs. Bilateral trade of agricultural, fish and forestry products between the United States and Peru topped $3 billion in 2015 and has grown more than 110 percent since 2009.

“Peru has been a growing market for American beef and this agreement will only further expand opportunities for American producers and exporters,” said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. “Not many years ago, there was little American beef going to Peru, but through the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, and agreements like this, we are seeing increased demand for high-quality American beef.”

This agreement reflects the United States’ negligible risk classification for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The United States and Peru have agreed to changes in certification statements. The changes will allow beef and beef products from all federally inspected U.S. establishments to be eligible for export to Peru, rather than only those beef and beef products from establishments that participated in the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Export Verification (EV) programs under the previous certification requirements.