It is even worst than that, it is not even issued per country or per company, it is per Plant basis. Along with other regulation hurdles. So you end up with news about China opening up to certain countries for import but then not issued a single license permit of any plant for years.
But despite all of these, the still allow proteins via unofficial channels. The word "Allow" here means they knew about it, but they turn a blind eye to it.
and this is how those connected people make money.
A recent one that comes to mind is a thread that was talking about nuclear reactors, within a few hours (I think within the first hour) someone that actually designs nuclear reactors for a living was in the thread clearing up misconceptions and answering questions.
Effectively, import permits are issued per-country, and can be withdrawn on a whim to keep agrarian lobbies on their toes in exporter countries. That is done through sanitary and food safety permits.
Current sky high prices may well be because you got a counterintuitive reaction from permitting officials, and they will fall again once they will ease on imports.
China been historically edgy on imports of pork, and most private importers specialise on beef and chicken instead.