USMEF Conference Opens with Election Analysis and Focus on U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) launched its annual strategic planning conference in Tucson, Ariz., Wednesday with an analysis of the U.S. election’s potential impact on agricultural policy and international trade. USMEF members also received an in-depth look at the new administration in Mexico, as the United States prepares for a critical phase of trade relations with the largest export destination for U.S. red meat.

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom opened the conference with an overview of U.S. red...

USMEF to Honor Nick Giordano, Mark Jagels at Upcoming Conference

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced the 2024 recipients of its two most prestigious awards, who will be honored Nov. 7 at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson, Ariz.

Nick Giordano, the former lead lobbyist for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) will receive the Michael J. Mansfield Award. USMEF established this award in recognition of the U.S. Senate majority leader and ambassador to Japan whose five decades of government service advanced U.S. trade relations throughout the world.

Mark Jagels, a fourth-generation farmer...

USMEF Statement on East and Gulf Coast Port Announcement

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) have released a joint statement announcing an end – at least temporarily – to the work stoppage that shut down East and Gulf Coast ports earlier this week.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

On behalf of USMEF’s member companies and organizations, I want to thank all parties involved in the effort to get cargo moving again off the East and Gulf Coasts. This is a tremendous relief to everyone...

USMEF Statement on Colombia Fully Reopening to U.S. Beef

With the Colombian government recently lifting its ban on U.S. beef originating from states in which H5N1 was detected in dairy cows, the Export Library for Colombia has been updated to reflect restored access for beef from 14 states.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

On behalf of USMEF’s membership, I want to thank the U.S. government, and especially the teams at the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and Food Safety and Inspection...

USMEF Chair Sees Potential for U.S. Red Meat in Indonesia

USMEF Chair Randy Spronk joined a team of representatives from the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) to meet with prospective buyers and study market opportunities for U.S. soybeans and red meat in Indonesia. USMEF member ISA, which has developed strong trade relationships providing soy protein in Indonesia, coordinated with USMEF staff on the day-long event.

USMEF ASEAN Director Sabrina Yin and Indonesia Representative Arrofi Satrio Alam set up a meet-and-greet for the ISA group with Indonesian meat importers and presented a...

New Partnership Launched to Broaden Availability of U.S. Pork in Chile

Industry efforts to grow the presence of U.S. pork in Chile took a step forward this summer with the launch of a partnership between U.S. pork producer Wholestone Prestage and U.S. supplier Andes Global. USMEF hosted a launch event in Santiago to announce the partnership and introduce new U.S. pork cuts to retailers and distributor clients of Andes Global.

In preparation for the launch, USMEF worked with Andes Global to identify U.S. pork cuts with demand potential in Chile. Seven cuts were selected and then shipped to... 

May Beef Export Value Highest in 11 Months; Pork Exports Below Year-Ago

The value of U.S. beef exports topped $900 million in May, the highest since June 2023, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. Pork exports posted another solid performance in May, but were below last year in both volume and value.

May beef exports totaled 110,133 metric tons (mt), down 5% from a year ago but the second largest of 2024. Beef export value reached $902.4 million in May, 3% above last year and the highest in 11 months. For January through...

Training Program Underway in Colombia to Boost U.S. Red Meat Sales in Foodservice

The four-city, six-month-long training program, which addresses operational and marketing issues, will help restaurants become more profitable with U.S. pork, beef.

Decision-makers in Colombia’s foodservice sector turned out last month for the third phase of a comprehensive training program for U.S. pork and beef that took place on consecutive days in Medellin, Bogota, Cartagena and Cali. For the four cities, 135 participants from 65 companies with 694 points-of-sale participated in the training sessions, which focused on butchery analysis and technical specifications...

April Pork Exports Largest in Nearly Three Years; Beef Exports Also Trend Higher

April exports of U.S. pork reached the highest volume and value since May 2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. It was also a robust month for U.S. beef exports, which were the largest in 10 months and valued at just under $900 million.

Fueled by a record performance in leading market Mexico, pork exports totaled 277,910 metric tons (mt) in April, up 14% from a year ago and the fifth largest on record. Export value climbed 18% to $778.8 million

USMEF Statement on Regional Agricultural Promotion Program Funding Allocations

On May 21, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced funding allocations for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), which utilizes Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to diversify export markets for U.S. agricultural products.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

USMEF is honored to participate in RAPP and we thank Secretary Vilsack and the staff at USDA for their vision and leadership in implementing this program. The additional investment in foreign market development is very timely...

Rapid Start for 2024 Pork Exports; Beef Export Value Above Year-Ago

U.S. pork exports raced to a great start in 2024, according to January data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While January beef exports were slightly below last year’s volume, export value trended significantly higher. Lamb exports were also strong in January, posting the highest value in more than four years.

Although January pork exports were led by another powerful performance in leading market Mexico, U.S. pork continued to make gains in a wide range of Western Hemisphere and Asia-Pacific destinations...

New Industry Resource Captures Culinary Evolution of the Caribbean

Developed in collaboration with local food scholars and regional chefs, the textbook is a go-to resource for educators and foodservice professionals

Honoring island traditions and promoting regional variations of local dishes are at the heart of a new USMEF marketing program to incorporate U.S. beef and pork into culinary communities throughout the Caribbean islands.

“The culinary histories of the islands are fascinating and ever-evolving,” says USMEF Caribbean Representative Elizabeth Wunderlich. “But there are no resources available that capture the multi-cultural influences...

U.S. Pork Export Value Sets Annual Record; Strong Finish for Beef Exports

Led by a record-shattering performance in Mexico and broad-based growth in other markets, U.S. pork exports set a value record in 2023, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While 2023 beef exports were below the record totals posted the previous year, December exports were the largest since August and December export value increased 10% year-over-year.

December pork exports climbed nearly 10% from a year ago to 268,399 metric tons...

U.S. Pork and Beef Nutrition Showcased at Ironman Event in Colombia

USMEF partnered with Colombian importers to promote U.S. pork and beef nutrition and product availability during an athletic competition in Cartagena. When promoting the health and nutritional benefits of high-quality U.S. pork and beef in Latin America, USMEF sometimes establishes a high-profile U.S. industry presence at targeted events in key markets. One recent event was in Colombia, where an Ironman competition brought health and nutrition-conscious athletes and families together for three days in Cartagena.

With an audience focused on nutrition and athletic performance, USMEF put...

November Pork Export Value Highest in 30 Months; Asia Headwinds Persist for Beef

Fueled by record performances in Mexico, Central America and Colombia, November exports of U.S. pork reached the highest value since mid-2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). U.S. beef exports slowed in November, recording the third lowest value of 2023. November lamb exports also trended lower.

November pork exports totaled 258,601 metric tons (mt), up 5% from a year ago and the highest in six months. Export value was up 2% to $737.4 million, the highest...

U.S. Lamb Showcase Highlights Quality and Market Opportunities in Mexico

USMEF brought suppliers and buyers together for a daylong event focused on U.S. lamb, including market insights and product opportunities in Mexico.

Mexico’s economy is in the midst of a broad-based economic expansion, bringing heightened demand for high-quality protein and new developments in the foodservice sector. USMEF believes the conditions in Mexico are favorable for U.S. lamb.

“At USMEF, we are seeing new opportunities in foodservice for U.S. lamb,” said Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF’s director in Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic...

U.S. Pork a High-Quality, Convenient Option for Consumers in Korea

USMEF is partnering with Korean retailers to develop and promote U.S. pork in new home meal replacement products.

Korean processors, retailers and restaurants are working aggressively to develop new ideas to satisfy the needs of fast-growing, single-person households in Korea, which now account for 41% of all households.

Consumer demand for quality and convenience is booming and USMEF is partnering with retailers to develop and promote new products with U.S. pork for as home meal replacement (HMR) options.

One such partnership has been an ongoing collaboration with...