Latest News From USMEF

December pork exports climbed nearly 10% from a year ago while December beef exports were the largest since August and December export value increased 10% year-over-year.

November exports of U.S. pork reached the highest value since mid-2021 while U.S. beef exports slowed in November, recording the third lowest value of 2023.

U.S. pork exports posted another strong performance in October. Beef exports remained well below last year’s large totals but improved from September.

Red meat buyers from Central and South America and the Caribbean recently met with U.S. suppliers in Cartagena, Colombia, during the 11th U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Latin American Product Showcase.

The Butcher Shop Program is helping Colombian butcher shops improve sales of U.S. red meat is expanding into the foodservice sector to work directly with Colombian restaurants.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced the speaker lineup and registration details for its 2023 Spring Conference, which is set for May 24-26 in Minneapolis. 

Exports of pork and beef were robust during October, with sales of both meats up significantly. Pork exports were the largest in 16 months and beef exports continued on a record pace.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Strategic Planning Conference is underway, addressing the industry's obstacles related to the sluggish global economy, weakening currencies and drought effected producers.

A recent campaign in Mexico validated the power of social media in reaching consumers with new ideas for meals at home using high-quality U.S. red meat.

Global prices for all meat continues to rise, according to the FAO Food Price Index. While an environment of rising prices could slow strong global demand for U.S. red meat, it also brings marketing opportunities.

U.S. beef exports topped $1 billion for the fourth month this year while setting new volume and value records. Pork exports, still below last year’s large totals, rebounded in May as shipments were the largest of 2022.

U.S. beef exports remained red-hot during January, a continuation of last year’s record-breaking performance. Pork exports continued to trend lower in January despite another outstanding month for exports to Mexico.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation Strategic Planning Conference and Board of Directors Meeting, held Nov. 10-12 in Carlsbad, Calif., wrapped up with the election of new USMEF officers.

More than 130 red meat buyers from 21 countries across Central and South America and the Caribbean gathered in San Jose, Costa Rica, for the U.S. Meat Export Federation Latin American Product Showcase.

While U.S. pork and beef exports have achieved impressive volumes in 2021, port congestion and other shipping obstacles continue to frustrate exporters.

Cheyenne McEndaffer, USMEF director of export services, explains that sustainability is an issue of growing importance to international customers of U.S. red meat and other key global audiences.

Since a late July outbreak of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Nanjing, the Chinese government has imposed strict countermeasures in affected areas in an effort to contain the virus.  

U.S. red meat exports closed the first half of the year on a strong note, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

USMEF's Dan Halstrom says that while the ASF findings are very concerning, the U.S. industry is well-prepared for these situations and extensive safeguards are in place to protect the health of the U.S. swine herd.

The USMEF is highlighting potential impact on international trade, including potential logistical challenges for the pork exporters utilizing California’s port infrastructure and cold storage facilities.

U.S. beef and pork exports set new value records in May, according to the latest data released by USDA. USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom discusses the data in this report.

With the COVID-19 pandemic sparking a nationwide 'Buy Local' campaign in Mexico, the USMEF found a creative way to appeal to consumers' desire to support local agriculture.

A sharp decline in China's hog and pork prices is a significant concern for the world's pork exporting countries, including the United States.

Last month, in an effort to address a severe pork shortage in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte temporarily reduced tariff rates on imported pork cuts and announced plans for a larger pork import quota.

U.S. red meat exports raced to a record performance in March with pork and beef exports each posting the highest monthly value ever, reaching a combined total of nearly $1.6 billion.

Despite COVID-19-related challenges, U.S. pork exports to Central America set a new record in 2020 and are off to a terrific start this year.

With pork production in the Philippines heavily impacted by ASF, President Rodrigo Duterte issued an executive order temporarily lowering tariff rates for imported pork muscle cuts.

Held annually in Tokyo, FOODEX is traditionally the largest food trade show in Asia and one of the largest in the world. The event was much smaller this year, but USMEF was able to exhibit U.S. Pork and Beef products.

One year has passed since the red meat trade provisions of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement entered into force, expanding access for U.S. beef and pork in the world's largest red meat import market.

With many of the leading destinations for U.S. pork and beef exports being in Asia, smooth cargo movement through West Coast ports is critical to the success and profitability of the U.S. red meat industry.

With demand expected to rebound this year, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is looking to expand the retail presence of U.S. pork and beef in Colombia.

ASF has had a dramatic impact on pork production in the Philippines, where agricultural officials are considering a number of options for bolstering pork supplies and stabilizing prices.

On Jan. 1, Taiwan implemented market access changes for imports of U.S. beef and pork. For beef, the 30-month cattle age limit was eliminated. For pork, it established maximum residue limits for ractopamine residues.

Beef exports posted one of the best months on record in November. It was also a strong month for pork exports – which already set new full-year volume and value records, even with December results still to be added.

Despite guidance from international health organizations stating imported food shipments are an unlikely source of COVID-19 transmission, the Chinese government implemented sample testing procedures at ports of entry.

In this audio report, Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president for the Asia Pacific, offers comments on the market assessment studies and on cold chain challenges U.S. pork faces in the Philippines.

September exports of U.S. pork increased 10% year-over-year, keeping 2020 exports on a record pace. September volume reached 222,475 metric tons, with value increasing 6% to $563.2 million.

Idaho cattle feeder Cevin Jones is wrapping up his one-year term as chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

In-person food trade exhibitions have been rare in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But food trade shows are returning to some Asian markets, including the recently completed SIAL China food exhibition.

August exports of U.S. pork and beef muscle cuts were above last year's strong volumes, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

In the past several years the convenience store sector has emerged as an important and rapidly growing outlet for U.S. pork and beef in international markets. This year is no exception.

Global pork production remains at the same level but ASF in Germany will reshuffle pork trade patterns. All markets outside the European Union are now effectively closed, including major Asian destinations.

Vietnam and the Philippines are among several Southeast Asian nations dealing with the impact of African swine fever on their domestic pork production.

The latest data from USDA show July exports of U.S. pork, which are on a record pace in 2020, were also down year-over-year in July but increased compared to June.

In an effort to contain a recent wave of COVID-19 cases, the government of South Korea has re-imposed heightened social distancing requirements in the Seoul area, including restrictions on some food providers.

The USMEF is conducting monthly, seminars for staff of its member companies, providing instructions for properly documenting and executing shipments of U.S. pork, beef and lamb to international destinations. 

Despite temporary interruptions in U.S. pork production and significant restrictions on the Central American foodservice sector, pork exports to the region still achieved growth in the first half of the year.

June exports of U.S. pork fell below year-ago levels for the first time this year but exports remain on a record pace in 2020, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Hong Kong-based Joel Haggard, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president for the Asia-Pacific, reports on that city's renewed efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

U.S. beef and pork exports trended lower in May, due in large part to temporary interruptions in slaughter and processing. Pork exports remained higher than a year ago but were the lowest since October 2019.