The Trump Administration has taken steps toward commercial shipment of U.S. beef and beef products to China for the first time since 2003. The USDA has reached agreement with Chinese officials on final details of a protocol to allow the U.S. to begin the beef exports to China. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement: “Today is a … Read More
USMEF Discusses the State of the Industry
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) conducted a press conference prior to the USMEF Spring Conference in Arlington, Virginia. The call featured opening remarks from Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO, Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president, Asia Pacific, and Oscar Ferrara, USMEF regional director, Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic. In the conference, the speakers discussed their support … Read More
U.S. Beef Regaining Access to China
The Trump administration has announced that following one more round of technical consultations between the United States and China, China is to allow imports of U.S. beef on conditions consistent with international food safety and animal health standards and consistent with the 1999 Agricultural Cooperation Agreement, beginning as soon as possible but no later than July 16, 2017. The U.S. … Read More
U.S. Beef Gains Expanded Access to Thailand
In this week’s audio report from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president for the Asia Pacific, explains how U.S. beef has gained expanded access to Thailand following a lift of BSE-related import restrictions. In the report, Haggard says that boneless and bone-in beef cuts from cattle of all ages are eligible for export to … Read More
Strong Pace Continued for U.S. Meat Exports
Statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) show February results for U.S. pork and beef exports well above levels from this time last year, with pork exports posting the strongest February volume on record. Pork exports were up 15 percent year-over-year, with value up 17 percent. February exports accounted for 27.6 percent of total … Read More
U.S. Red Meat Exports Maintain Strong Pace in January
According to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), January exports of U.S. beef and pork were up significantly year-over-year, maintaining the solid momentum established in the fourth quarter of 2016. Beef exports totaled 96,488 metric tons, up 17 percent from a year ago, valued at $515.5 million – up 18 percent and the … Read More
Costco Expansion Builds Momentum for U.S. Beef in Korea
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reports that U.S. beef has built momentum in South Korea, and received a further boost since Costco recently began converting its imported chilled beef selection from Australian beef to 100% U.S. product. The move follows a multi-year effort by the USMEF to persuade store managers that sales of U.S. beef would match or exceed Australian … Read More
USMEF Sees Growth to Mexico, C.A. & Dominican Republic
Dr. Oscar Ferrara, joined the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) earlier this month as the organization’s new regional director for Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic and sees strong potential for further export growth to those areas. Capitalizing on duty-free access achieved through NAFTA and the lower duties negotiated in the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), U.S. … Read More
The Story of Pretelt Gourmet Meats
Last week while attending the U.S. Soybean Export Federation’s Aquaculture Educational Opportunity in Panama City, Panama we took a quick detour from fish and visited a local steakhouse for dinner. As you walked into Pretelt Gourmet Meats you might have guessed you were stepping into a wild west saloon or an old school butcher shop. If the decor didn’t get … Read More
Livestock Groups Concerned With Trump’s Trade Action
Animal ag groups jumped to respond to President Trump’s announcement that he is withdrawing the U.S. from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal and may seek to take action on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Tracy Brunner, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), said “We’re especially concerned that the Administration is taking these actions without … Read More