China has lifted the ban it placed in 2015 on poultry from the United States after highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks.

Poultry industry leaders have been anticipating the move since China agreed to import $40 billion worth of agricultural products per year from the United States over the next two years and since the U.S. long ago declared itself free of highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza.

Before the ban the U.S. exported chicken paws (i.e. feet) and wing tips to China, increasing the value of chicken.

Some anticipate the Chinese will buy about $1 billion worth of chicken paws and $1 billion worth of other poultry products per year from the U.S.

Some U.S. poultry processors also expect to export significant volumes of dark meat, which is becoming more popular in global markets, including in North America.