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The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is set to be implemented at the end of this year, despite calls for postponement. The regulation will require companies selling certain products, including beef, to prove that their products are deforestation-free and legal. The U.S. beef industry is concerned about the regulation, as it believes it does not contribute to deforestation and that the requirements are not well-defined. The U.S. and other trading partners have requested a delay in implementation, citing concerns about the regulatory burden and additional costs. Import data already shows a decline in U.S. beef exports to Europe, and the industry fears that EUDR will make it even more difficult to access the European market. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is working to expand the utilization of U.S. beef in China's foodservice sector. With funding from the Beef Checkoff Program and USDA's Market Access Program, promotional campaigns were conducted in Shanghai and five cities in South China to promote the superior attributes of grain-fed U.S. beef and introduce alternative cuts to restaurant chains. One focus area is hot pot restaurants, where USMEF is promoting the use of U.S. beef cuts. The campaigns were successful and expanded to 900 outlets. USMEF also partnered with a culinary center to provide training on underutilized beef cuts to butchers in China's foodservice sector. The program aims to expand to additional cities in China in 2024. Chilled beef exports to China increased by 11% in 2023, and USMEF sees expanded opportunities for U.S. chilled beef in China. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently showcased U.S. pork and beef products at Japan's Supermarket Trade Show, with the aim of expanding the customer base for American red meat products. The event was organized by the Japan Chain Store Association and targeted key buyers from Japan's retail sector. USMEF will also lead similar efforts at FOODEX, Japan's largest food trade show, in March. The USMEF hopes to demonstrate to Japanese restaurants and retailers how to maintain high quality while meeting price pressures with U.S. beef and pork. The organization also highlights the potential for increased sales to tourists, as travel and tourism have gradually recovered in Japan. The participation in these trade shows is made possible through funding provided by the USDA, the National Pork Board, the Beef Checkoff Program, and the Texas Beef Council. [Extracted from the article]

Red meat buyers from Central and South America and the Caribbean recently met with U.S. suppliers in Cartagena, Colombia, during the 11th edition of the U.S. Meat Export Federation Latin American Product Showcase. With 70 U.S. exporting companies exhibiting at the showcase, 220 importers had the opportunity to meet U.S. suppliers and arrange purchases of a wide range of U.S. red meat products. [Extracted from the article]

April exports of U.S. pork achieved gains in a wide range of markets, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports, on the other hand, were below the very large totals posted a year ago, but export value per head of fed slaughter was the highest in eight months. [Extracted from the article]

Smith said that while agricultural goods generally flow smoothly between the U.S. and Mexico, the U.S. meat industry must be mindful of contentious issues - both agricultural and non-agricultural - that could disrupt trade. The U.S. Meat Export Federation Spring Conference concluded Friday in Minneapolis with insights from former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson on how to make international trade a higher priority in the next farm bill. Now an international trade consultant, Smith detailed the critical importance of this trade relationship for both countries' agricultural sectors. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Meat Export Federation Spring Conference got underway Wednesday in Minneapolis, with USMEF senior staff updating members on industry efforts to expand the international footprint for U.S. red meat and bolster demand for underutilized pork, beef and lamb cuts. Halstrom explained that maximizing carcass value is a global objective for USMEF, with the pork loin and beef round as featured primals in these market development efforts. This will be followed by meetings of USMEF's standing committees, which focus on issues specific to the organization's pork, beef, exporter and feedgrains and oilseeds sectors. [Extracted from the article]

"There has been tremendous demand from importers for the in-store training that comes with the Butcher Shop Program", says USMEF Trade Specialist Maria Isabel Ruiz. Launched in mid-2021, 20 importers and 61 butcher shop outlets in 11 cities now participate in the program with many more on a growing waitlist. [Extracted from the article]

A record value of beef and pork exports brought significant returns to the U.S. corn and soybean industries in 2022, according to an independent study conducted by World Perspectives, Inc. and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Exporting soybeans through U.S. pork Pork exports accounted for 89.7 million bushels of U.S. soybean usage, which equated to a market value of $1.33 billion (at an average price of $14.83 per bushel). [Extracted from the article]

Haggard is retiring later this year and is working closely with USMEF Vice President for Asia Pacific Jihae Yang - USMEF's longtime Korea director - to develop a new strategy for the China market focused on the evolving needs of the market's consumers. After easing of restrictions, a COVID wave quickly moved through China at the start of the year. [Extracted from the article]

U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom says the drop in pork exports is driven in part by African swine fever, but came on strong late in the year and the industry is well positioned for growth in 2023. U.S. pork exports will fall short of the huge records set in 2020 and 2021, while beef exports will set a record in 2022, likely approaching $12 billion. [Extracted from the article]

While there are indications that beef inventories in China have been building, Haggard is optimistic for an uptick in demand in 2023. China has recently ended some of its most severe restrictions in a move away from the country's "Zero-COVID" policy. [Extracted from the article]

Beef liver's a superfood that we can educate around the nutritious value of the product as well as delivering it in an absolutely delicious way. While Africa holds potential for a range of U.S. beef and pork products, Copeland says variety meats have already gained significant traction in the region. U.S. Meat Export Federation Africa Representative Matt Copeland was part of a recent USDA trade mission delegation visiting Kenya, and says he was impressed by the growth opportunities that post-COVID ecommerce offers for U.S. red meat in Africa. [Extracted from the article]

With important trade negotiations on the horizon, U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom says there is an urgent need for the U.S. Senate to confirm two key nominees: Douglas McKalip to serve as chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Alexis Taylor as USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. "The Indo-Pacific framework has the potential to really pay some dividends in terms of taking care of some of those trade issues that we have trade barriers and some of the technical issues that may be limiting the volume potential in the region", Halstrom says. [Extracted from the article]

During his time in the USMEF leadership, Meyer has had several opportunities to visit major export markets and share details of his farming operation with importers, distributors and everyday consumers. Meyer became involved with red meat exports through the Iowa Corn Growers Association, where he served as a director and as Iowa Corn's USMEF representative. [Extracted from the article]

Blach added that the U.S. achieved record beef production in 2022 with 30 million fewer cattle than in the 1970s. The U.S. Meat Export Federation Strategic Planning Conference got underway Wednesday in Oklahoma City, attracting farmers, ranchers, processors and exporters from throughout the nation. "Uruguay exports 58% of its beef production to China, New Zealand 44%, Brazil 18% and Australia 14%", Halstrom said. [Extracted from the article]

September beef exports were below last year for the first time in 2022, but exports remain on a record pace through the first three quarters of the year. U.S. pork exports topped year-ago totals for the second consecutive month in September, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. [Extracted from the article]

Specifically, Borror discusses the potential impact of Brazilian pork and beef, which Mexico currently bans due to foot-and-mouth disease. The Government of Mexico recently issued a decree reflecting an agreement with a number of private companies aimed at reducing prices for basic foods, including some pork and beef cuts. [Extracted from the article]

Lighthizer also oversaw the effort to establish a U.S.-specific allocation of the European Union's duty-free beef quota, securing more reliable, year-round access for U.S. beef in the high-value EU market. Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, who headed the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative under the Trump administration, has been selected to receive the U.S. Meat Export Federation's Michael J. Mansfield Award. [Extracted from the article]

USMEF conducted a two-day seminar near Manila for 35 attendees, including key staff of the three importers and selected end-user customers in foodservice and retail. The foodservice sector has begun its recovery in the Philippines and importers are working to rebuild trade with end-user customers. [Extracted from the article]

We had an administration change, and our current administration has since picked up a trade discussion with Kenya. This trade partnership will not be addressing any tariffs or quotas, so we'll strictly be focused on other trade facilitation and collaboration measures", says McEndaffer. [Extracted from the article]

South Korea is currently the leading value market for U.S. beef exports, with shipments on pace to possibly reach $3 billion in 2022. All major beef suppliers will eventually reach zero duty, but the U.S. has a head start because KORUS entered into force earlier than other free trade agreements. Under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, U.S. beef has a tariff rate advantage over major competitors in Korea. [Extracted from the article]

U.S. beef exports remained on a red-hot pace in June, topping $1 billion for the fifth time this year (after twice reaching $1 billion in 2021), according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Exports are on a record value pace for Colombia and export value is also trending higher to South Korea. [Extracted from the article]

Of the $5 billion of U.S. beef exported around the world through May of this year, only $8 million has been to Africa. But Africa is a very promising destination for beef variety meats, a low-cost protein that helps meet Africa's nutritional needs. Copeland notes that a return to more normal shipping rates would open up more variety meat sales in Africa. [Extracted from the article]

But specifically for Japan, you're looking at roughly 66% of the beef exports and maybe 70% of the pork exports originate out of the Port of Oakland." A prolonged shutdown could have a dramatic impact on U.S. red meat exports and ag exports as a whole, U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom says Oakland is the third-busiest port on the West Coast and the largest outlet for U.S. red meat exports. Protesters last week shut down operations at the Port of Oakland over a new trucking regulation that would limit independent operators. [Extracted from the article]

The 10 participants who submit the best and most creative grilling ideas will be invited to prepare and grill U.S. beef in front of a three-person jury at a grand finale contest in Lima. Those who produce superior flavor and tenderness from beef on a grill should be rewarded, and a nationwide contest for U.S. beef in Peru this summer is doing just that. [Extracted from the article]

"Influencers and social media in general are showing strong interest in this campaign", says Leticia Flores, USMEF communications specialist for Mexico, Central America and Dominican Republic. A campaign that began in Mexico in 2021 to demonstrate U.S. red meat industry support for local agricultural production has drawn significant interest, motivating the U.S. Meat Export Federation to extend the effort through 2022. "Meat and Greet" tour pairs U.S. red meat with products of Mexico. [Extracted from the article]

USMEF further developed its Mobile Kitchen and Grill Academy to implement educational activities with importers and their customers onsite, often in parking lots or open spaces near their offices. Many of the alternative cuts and variety meats that USMEF promotes during these workshops are demonstrated on the grill and through varied cooking methods such as Crockpots and Instapots. [Extracted from the article]

Steady export growth for U.S. beef, expansion of Korean and Japanese barbecue chains, increasing demand for home meal replacement at retail and growing consumer interest in food, nutrition and culture point to developing opportunities for U.S. beef in the world's 4th most populous country. With beef consumption still at a relatively low level, Yin sees opportunities expanding for U.S. beef in foodservice and retail. "There is a growing preference for marbled, grain-fed beef at foodservice, especially with the premium barbecue chains", says Yin. [Extracted from the article]

Record-level red meat exports of $18.7 billion in 2021 had a major impact on the corn and soybean industries, according to an independent study by the Juday Group. The study quantified the returns that red meat exports brought to corn and soybean producers in 2021 nationally, and at state levels for leading corn-producing and soybean-producing states. [Extracted from the article]