U.S. Meat Export officials are optimistic about the outlook for beef exports in 2018 and beyond, especially after coming off strong sales in 2017. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke to cattle producers in Sioux Center, Iowa this week. He says the top destination for U.S. beef is still in the Pacific Rim.
He says export growth has been incremental since the reopening of the Chinese market to U.S. beef in 2017. However, Halstrom says there’s huge potential there once the industry gears up to produce to their specifications.
Halstrom says the U.S. Meat Export Federation has also been working for the past four years to develop markets in Africa.
He says there’s a great deal of market potential particularly in south and west Africa. In 2017 that region was the fourth largest destination for U.S. variety meats, mainly livers and hearts.
