USMEF Partners with Chilean Importer to Grow its Portfolio of U.S. Pork Cuts

To address reduced U.S. pork sales with a major importer in Chile, USMEF South American Representative Jessica Julca worked with the importer to develop a client database to segment its customers based on their purchasing patterns and potential needs.

“El Carnicero used to import several cuts of U.S. pork but with greater availability from competitors, they were down to importing one U.S. cut,” says Julca. “The database contains purchasing data for 211 of its customers and helps them to identify loyal customers and market opportunities...

Russia and China Planning to Construct Bordering Grain Terminal 

Over the four-day Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia from September 10-13, Chinese and Russian officials signed multiple deals to enhance trade flows between the two countries. 

This includes the construction of a new grain terminal, called the Grain Terminal Nizhneleninskoye-Tongjiang, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The terminal will help export food produced in the Ural Mountains, Siberia, and Russia’s Far East to China. 

The new logistics hub will be located between Vladivostok, a major port city in Russia, and China’s northeastern province of...

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Partnerships Key to Market Development Efforts for U.S. Pork Loin in Peru

U.S. industry partnerships are behind a U.S. pork loin initiative with a major importer in Peru. Critical to the success of this initiative were technical cutting demonstrations performed for importers last year by Dr. David Newman, senior vice president for market growth for the National Pork Board (NPB) and a past member of USMEF’s executive committee.

During a USMEF-led, NPB team visit last year, Dr. Newman conducted a pork fabrication seminar for Peruvian importers to demonstrate new ideas for...

Japan’s Largest Pork Cutlet Restaurant Chain Switches to U.S. Pork

Global strategies to build demand for the U.S. pork loin are paying dividends in several markets, including high-value market Japan. Katsuya, Japan’s largest pork cutlet restaurant chain, has switched to using U.S. pork loin and tenderloin at its 450 outlets.

“Our team is working closely with targeted foodservice accounts, looking for menu opportunitites for U.S. pork. We have had some successes this summer,” says USMEF Japan Director Satoshi Kato. “Katsuya appreciated our partnership approach and has switched to chilled U.S. pork...

July Pork Exports Continue Above Year-Ago; Slow Month for Beef Exports

Building on a robust first-half performance, July exports of U.S. pork continued to outpace year-ago levels, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. Beef exports took a step back in July, posting the lowest volume since January, but export value per head of fed slaughter again exceeded $400.

July pork exports totaled 219,014 metric tons (mt), up 5% year-over-year, while export value increased 1% to $628.7 million. Through the first seven months of 2023, pork exports were 13% above...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports Get Leg Up In June

After setting out in January at some of the lowest seasonal levels since 1999, total turkey export volume ended the first half of the year on a high note...

USDA, USTR Name New Agricultural Trade Advisors

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced the appointment of 130 new private-sector representatives to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees that represent the diversity of U.S. agriculture. The new group of advisors will join the 70 existing committee members whose terms have not expired.

Complete rosters of the committees, including the 130 new appointees and 70 members already serving, are available at:

- Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee

- Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products

- Agricultural Technical...

Three Brazilian Meat Processing Plants Given Approval to Ship to Dominican Republic

Earlier this month, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock announced that the Dominican Republic has allowed imports of pork and beef produced in Brazil. 

Three Brazilian plants in the states of Acre, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul were approved to ship to the Dominican Republic. Additional establishments in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná are also under consideration, announced Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture on August 9. 

"The Dominican Republic is a market with high demand, which has faced severe challenges with the record of ...

Leading Nicaraguan Beef Processors Remain Committed to Cattle Traceability, Responsible Ranching

Amidst recent international media attention, leading Nicaraguan beef processors have reiterated commitments to responsible ranching and traceability.

PATROL, a 2023 documentary, explores claims from communities in Nicaragua stemming from environmental conflict, including illegal cattle ranching on the rainforests of the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio promoted PATROL on Instagram, sparking conversations among many on the social media platform, questioning if cattle produced on illegally converted lands in Nicaragua could be unwittingly consumed by American households. More than 95% of the beef Nicaragua produces is exported primarily to...

Argentina's Secretary of Agriculture Denies Meat Export Ban Shortly After Announcement 

On Tuesday, Argentina announced a 15-day ban on beef exports in an effort to moderate prices amid surging inflation and a steep devaluation of the peso.

Argentina's central bank devalued its exchange rate by 18% on Monday after outsider candidate Javier Milei won a primary election on  August 13. The country's government is attempting to stop the sharp devaluation from impacting everyday prices for local consumers.

However, shortly after the ban was announced, the Secretary of Agriculture Juan José Bahillo denied the suspension, stating that negotiations are underway with the Ministry of Economy of Argentina...

Blindfold Tests Demonstrate U.S. Beef’s Quality to Importers in Central America

In markets where buyers and end-users only know the lean, grass-fed beef produced locally, simple tactics are sometimes best to demonstrate U.S. beef’s superior attributes. In recent months, market development efforts have centered on blindfold taste tests in Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and Dominican Republic to demonstrate the superior quality of grain-fed U.S. beef. According to Lucia Ruano, USMEF’s representative in the region, the taste tests are very effective.

“We conduct a two-three hour educational program for importers and their end-user customers...

U.S. Suppliers Meet with Latin American Buyers at USMEF’s Product Showcase

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 (USMEF) 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.

“We are a family company in Colombia for 45 years. This show is very important to us, because we can find new suppliers,” said Laura...

Japanese Restaurant Chain Switching to U.S. Pork Following Promotion

North Graphic, a growing regional foodservice chain in Sapporo, Japan, has decided to switch to U.S. pork at its six outlets following a successful two-month promotion. Specializing in Italian and Chinese cuisine, North Graphic developed new menu items as part of the promotion, including buta-kara (Japanese-style deep fried pork) utilizing U.S. pork loin and pork butt.

Prior to the promotion, the chain had used European pork at its restaurants.

North Graphic is also developing deli products with U.S...

E B Express Provisions Recalls Canned Pork and Beef Bean Stew Products From Brazil

E B Express Provisions, a distributor and importer of record located in Newark, N.J. is recalling approximately 622 pounds of the pork and beef bean stew products that were imported from an establishment in Brazil that is not eligible to export meat products to the United States, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall, regardless of the product date :

More labels here.

• 430g cans containing “Anglo Feijoada Pronta para servir”.
• 430g cans containing “Bordon... 

USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to Southeast Asia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Malaysia and Singapore on Oct. 30-Nov. 3. USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service is now accepting applications from U.S. exporters who wish to participate in the trade mission.

“Malaysia and Singapore are important markets in our efforts to diversify prospects for U.S. food and agricultural exports in Southeast Asia. These markets provide both a source of stability for American...

May Pork Exports Highest in Two Years; Beef Exports Below Record-Large, Year-Ago Totals

Led by another outstanding month in Mexico and robust demand for variety meat, exports of U.S. pork continued to gain momentum in May, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While well below the record-large volume and value posted in May 2022, beef exports improved from April and were the second largest (behind March) of 2023.

May pork exports reached 261,361 metric tons (mt), up 16% from a year ago, the ninth largest on record and the largest since May 2021...

Japanese Buyers Visit Wisconsin to Learn about U.S. Dairy Cattle and Beef Quality

As sales recover slowly from the pandemic in Japan’s foodservice sector, buyers are seeking new ideas to cap rising input costs. A key strategy for USMEF this year is to present economical options to buyers, such as underutilized cuts of beef and in some cases, beef from dairy cattle. Japan abolished the cattle age limit for imported beef in 2019, which opened the door to importing beef from dairy cattle.

USMEF’s Tokyo office led a team of foodservice buyers to Wisconsin last...

U.S.'s Yellen Begins China Visit with Both Sides Locked in Confrontation

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in the Chinese capital on Thursday, beginning a four-day visit expected to focus on easing ties between the world's two largest economies, despite low expectations on both sides.

Yellen received a low-key welcome from a Chinese finance ministry official and the U.S. envoy to China, Nicholas Burns, as she stepped off a government aircraft just after a rainstorm brought some relief to an otherwise sweltering Beijing.

Both sides are sceptical that Yellen's visit will be able to take much heat...

U.S. Red Meat Industry Makes Presence Known at SIAL China

An eye-catching location and expanded pavilion with spacious public reception areas, private meeting spaces, meat sample displays and a separate cooking area for product tastings were among the pieces in place to ensure a prominent presence for the U.S. red meat industry at SIAL China in Shanghai. Twelve members joined the USMEF Pavilion at the show, which hosted 175,527 attendees from 67 countries during the three-day event.

These elements were part of a blueprint designed to tout grain-fed U.S. beef and pork as top quality and show...

U.S., China Start Talking Again, With Global Economic Order at Stake

Washington and Beijing are talking again. The test now is whether they can settle into a new normal that avoids upending the global economy—or fall back into a cycle of acrimony and retaliation.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen heads to China on Thursday through Sunday to meet with senior government officials, her department said Sunday. The trip comes as tensions over trade, technology and Taiwan prompt both countries to reconsider the deep commercial and investment ties that have defined the relationship for decades. Yellen is hoping to preserve...

USDA Efforts Lift Ban on U.S. Poultry Exports to Colombia

Quick action by FAS, USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has resolved an issue that temporarily stopped U.S. poultry product exports to Colombia, our 10th largest market for these products.

Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture instructed all Colombian ports to deny import permits to any poultry products beginning June 1 on concerns of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Roughly $1.1 million in U.S. exports were impacted by the ban between June 3 and June 8...

EU Approves 11th Sanctions Package Against Russia Over Ukraine

European Union governments agreed on Wednesday to an 11th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, aimed at stopping other countries and companies from circumventing existing measures.

The new package, tweeted by Sweden as EU president, forbids transit via Russia of an expanded list of goods and technology which might aid Russia's military or security sector.

The biggest novelty, diplomats said, was enabling restrictions on the sale of sensitive dual-use goods and technology to third countries that might sell it on to Russia. Names of such countries...

Distribuidora El Paisano Import, LLC, Recalls Ineligible Ready-To-Eat Pork Rind Product 

Distribuidora El Paisano Import, LLC, a distributor and the importer of record located in Providence, R.I., is recalling approximately 1,715 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork rind product that was imported from Guatemala, a country ineligible to export meat products to the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

5.3 oz. (150g) foil pouch packages containing "TorTrix Con Chicharrón."
The product subject to recall does not bear an establishment number nor a USDA mark of inspection...

Broad-Based Growth for April Pork Exports; Beef Exports Trend Lower

April exports of U.S. pork achieved gains in a wide range of markets, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF, while beef exports were below the very large totals posted a year ago.

Propelled by another month of widespread growth, April pork exports totaled 243,789 metric tons (mt), up 15% from a year ago, while value increased 10% to $660.1 million. For January through April, pork exports climbed 14% to 960,480 mt, valued at $2.62 billion (up 13%)...

Cargill to Sell China Poultry Unit to Private Equity Firm DCP Capital

U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill said it is selling its poultry business in China to private equity firm DCP Capital, exiting a Chinese meat market that has become increasingly challenging, especially for foreign players.

The sale of the unit known as Cargill Protein China is subject to regulatory approvals but is expected to close this year, Cargill said in a statement on Wednesday.

It did not give a transaction price and DCP declined to comment on the deal.

China is the world's No.2 poultry producer after the...

USMEF Conference Examines Industry Challenges, Opportunities for U.S. Market Share Gains

The USMEF Spring Conference got underway May 24 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.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen welcomed a strong turnout of producers, exporters, packers, processors and traders from across the nation, praising their collaborative efforts to advance U.S. agriculture by building global demand.

“I really wasn’t a ‘feed-the-world’ type of person when I started as commissioner,” Petersen said. “But as...

Great Plains Drought Hits Hay Crops

The market for hay is overshadowed by wheat and other crops hit by a drought in the Great Plains, but it can have a similar impact on food prices.

Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas are typically among the top 10 hay-producing states, according to U.S. Agriculture Department data, and swaths of each state are experiencing extreme drought, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center, a project from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the USDA and other partners.

This year's average seasonal price for all types of alfalfa and grass hay...

USDA APHIS Confirms Atypical BSE Case in Beef Cow at South Carolina Plant

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, in a beef cow at a slaughter plant in South Carolina.

The beef cow was about five years or older and was tested as part of APHIS’s routine surveillance of cattle that are unsuitable for slaughter. The animal did not enter slaughter channels or present any risk to the food supply chain or to human health, said the USDA.

This is the country’s 7th...

Urner Barry Releases May Pulse Protein Report

As of May 10, Ethiopia remains in the top spot of the dried pea export value chart, with a 55% increase in value year-over-year (YoY) noted. Cameroon holds the fifth spot, with a 71% decrease in value. Canada is holding the number one spot for dried lentils with a 1% decrease and Mexico holds the number three position with...

March Pork Exports Largest in Nearly Two Years; Beef Exports Show Signs of Rebound

March exports of U.S. pork were the largest since May 2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While below last year’s high volume, March beef exports were the largest since October.

March pork exports totaled 260,195 metric tons (mt), up 17% year-over-year and the ninth largest volume on record. Export value was also ninth largest at $724 million, up 18% from a year ago. These results capped a strong first quarter for U.S. pork as exports reached 716,691 mt...

World Food Prices Rise for First Time In a Year

The United Nations food agency's world price index rose in April for the first time is a year, but is still some 20% down on a record high hit in March 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) price index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 127.2 points last month against 126.5 for March, the agency said on Friday. The March reading was originally given as 126.9.

The Rome-based agency said the April rise reflected higher prices for sugar, meat and...

G7 Discusses Expanding Ban on Russia Exports as Part of Strengthening Sanctions

The Group of Seven (G7) countries are considering a possible ban on nearly all exports to Russia, according to Japan's Kyodo News agency. The discussion is part of strengthening sanctions against Moscow in response to its ongoing war on Ukraine, which eclipsed its year-long mark two months ago.

The G7 summit will be held in Hiroshima on May 19 through 21. During the gathering, participants will discuss various topics including expanding support for Ukraine and intensifying sanctions against Russia.

The G7 members are Japan, Italy, Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union (EU)...

Urner Barry Releases April Soy & Wheat Report

The outlook for 2022/23 U.S. wheat in April is for slightly higher supplies, reduced domestic use, unchanged exports, and increased ending stocks. Supplies are raised by 5 million bushels on higher imports, based on...

USSEC Launches Development of U.S.-China Soy Value Chain Innovation Center

The soy industry plays a key role in trade relations between China and the United States. To deepen cooperation throughout the supply chain, USSEC is developing the U.S.-China Soy Value Chain Innovation Center, or SIC, in Henan, a province in Central China, with soy checkoff support. A hybrid Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony was held on February 28, 2023, to mark this milestone.

“This MOU represents a remarkable and unprecedented success in deepening agricultural cooperation between the U.S. and China,” says Xiaoping Zhang, USSEC regional director...

Ship Inspections Under Black Sea Grain Deal Resume Following Temporary Halt

Ship inspections by the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) under the Black Sea Grain Initiative were temporarily halted earlier this week since “the parties needed more time to reach an agreement on operational priorities,” according to a statement by the United Nations. The stoppage resulted in 50 vessels being backlogged before they could move to the Ukrainian ports. 

The Initiative, which was signed in Istanbul in July 2022, has enabled the safe export of more than 27.5 million metric tonnes of food since the agreement was signed, according to Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

This has helped lower global food prices and aided in global food security by providing foodstuffs...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Thigh Meat and Boneless Pork Ham: Reigniting a Friendly Rivalry

As we usher in the first few weeks of Q2, turkey market participants have their game faces on as they consult with the historic price charts and plot their strategy for the road ahead...

Urner Barry Releases April Pulse Protein Report

As of April 12, Ethiopia remains in the top spot of the dried pea export value chart, with a 37% decrease in value year-over-year (YoY) noted. Cameroon holds the fifth spot, with a 79% decrease in value. Canada is holding the number one spot for...

Momentum Continues for U.S. Pork Exports in February; Beef Exports Below Year-Ago

U.S. pork exports remained robust in February, achieving double-digit increases over last year in both volume and value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were lower year-over-year but improved from the low totals posted in January.

February pork exports totaled 219,729 metric tons (mt), up 11% from a year ago, while export value increased 10% to $596 million. This included a particularly strong performance for pork variety meat exports, which jumped 40%...

USMEF Says Beef, Pork Exports Provided Strong Returns for Corn, Soybean Sector

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said record-high values for beef and pork exports led to “significant returns” for domestic corn and soybean industries in 2022, per a study conducted by World Perspectives, Inc.

U.S. pork and beef exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 15% per bushel to the value of corn and 13% per bushel to soybeans in 2022, according to the study.

“For every bushel of corn we marketed in 2022, a little over $1 was attributed to red meat exports and...