U.S. beef export growth to the Philippines is being driven in part by the proliferation of Korean-style barbecue restaurants. Meanwhile pork exports are down, but are expected to pick up, says Joel Haggard, USMEF.
The Latin American Product Showcase saw a mix of current and new customers from emerging markets where the U.S. has been working to grow demand for U.S. red meat, says USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom.
At the Latin American Product Showcase, more than 60 USMEF exporting member companies participated, displaying and promoting U.S. beef, pork and lamb products. The event attracted more than 190 buyers from 23 countries.
With U.S. pork facing trade barriers in some of its largest destinations, building strong demand in Central America and the Dominican Republic has been especially critical for the U.S. pork industry.
April exports of U.S. beef and pork were lower than a year ago while U.S. lamb exports continued their upward trend, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Pork export value averaged $50.58 per head slaughtered in April, down 13% from a year ago but the highest in 10 months. For January to April, export value averaged $47.25 per head, down 15% from the same period in 2018.
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Economist Erin Borror says recent trade developments with Japan, Mexico and Canada, are very important breakthroughs for the U.S. red meat industry.
