This week’s audio report from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) discusses the pork consumption of Guatemala, which has remained relatively low throughout the past several years, though a majority of the pork currently imported by Guatemala does come from the Unites States. USMEF has been working with importers, retailers, restaurants and foodservice companies to increase awareness of the variety … Read More
Dairy Urges U.S. Focus on Defending Common Names Rights
The dairy industry welcomed an assessment of the Obama Administration’s fight to ensure that the EU’s geographical indication (GI) initiatives with other countries and regions do not undercut U.S. industries’ market access opportunities. The Special 301 Report is prepared annually by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). It identifies trade barriers to U.S. companies and products due … Read More
NFU Hosts Presser On TPP Opposition
While many United States trade officials are promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as an export-boon for agriculture, the National Farmers Union (NFU) continues to stand strong in their opposition of the free trade agreement. NFU, representing nearly 200,000 family farmers and ranchers, hosted a media teleconference this morning to talk about the TPP and announce a letter signed by 160 … Read More
USMEF Reports on Port Labor Contract Extensions
On this week’s audio report from the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF), USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng discusses the developments being made regarding important contractual negotiations between the West Coast port operators and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). In late 2014 and for much of 2015, U.S. meat exports were slowed by severe port congestion on … Read More
New Opportunities for U.S. Animal Ag in Vietnam
Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, traveled to Vietnam to meet with his counterparts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, among others, to discuss the details of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. Vietnam remains one of the fastest-growing markets for U.S. food and agricultural products, with U.S. exports totaling $2.3 billion in … Read More
Taiwan's New President May Affect Meat Trade
On this week’s audio report from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president for the Asia Pacific region discusses Taiwan, which will soon be welcoming a new presidential administration. On May 20, Tsai Ing-wen will be sworn in as Taiwan’s first female president. Her party, the Democratic Progressive Party or DPP, will also hold a … Read More
NMPF Economist Talks Impact of Declining Milk Prices
Since the record highs of 2014, when milk was priced at well above 25 dollars per cwt, U.S. milk production has continued to grow at record numbers, and the USDA has projected that a record 212 billion pounds of milk will be produced in the U.S. in 2016. The demand, however, has begun to slow, and this new dynamic of … Read More
NCBA Holds Press Conference on TPP
This morning, the National Cattlemen ‘s Beef Association (NCBA) hosted a press teleconference regarding the organization’s sustained support for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Michael Froman and NCBA Vice President Kevin Kester discussed how the agriculture industry and the administration are working together to promote the TPP. Following the presser, an estimated 300 cattle … Read More
USMEF Weekly Audio Report
This week’s audio report from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) discusses the recent showcase of U.S. beef and pork at WorldFood Uzbekistan 2016. U.S. participation in the event allowed USMEF to gain further insight into this emerging market, and was supported by the USDA Market Access Program (MAP), the Beef Checkoff Program and the Pork Checkoff. Yuri Barutkin, USMEF … Read More
U.S. Meat Exports Sluggish In February
According to USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), while February exports of U.S. pork and beef were roughly steady with last year’s volumes, export value moved lower during the month as prices continued to decline from the 2014 highs. The price reductions reflect more abundant red meat supplies and a fiercely competitive international marketplace. Pork export … Read More