China, the world's largest pork consumer, will soon resume imports from 14 US pork plants and warehouses, after halting some shipments last year over the use of a feed additive, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said over the weekend.

The USDA did not provide a date on which China will resume the imports.

China's decision will "mean a significant boost in sales for American pork producers," the USDA said on Friday (US time).

The agency noted "China's recognition of strong regulatory controls and the high quality of US pork."

The six US processing plants and eight cold storage facilities affected by China's decision participate in US programs under which they do not use the feed additive ractopamine, which promotes lean muscle growth in hogs, according to the USDA.

China prohibits imports of pork produced from hogs that were fed ractopamine, and last year it barred shipments from several US facilities to enforce the ban.

The restrictions affected plants owned by Tyson Foods Inc and Hormel Foods Corp.

A Tyson spokesman had no immediate comment. Hormel representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

The US Meat Export Federation, an industry group, also had no immediate comment.

US pork exports to China last year were valued at more than $474 million, according to the USDA.