Promoting U.S. red meat to the rest of the world is the job of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. That work continues even during geopolitical unrest and supply chain disruption.
Dean Meyer is the new chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. He’s also a farmer himself out of Iowa raising pork, beef, corn and soybeans. He says strong exports are critical regardless of how supply looks, especially since unwanted cuts here in the U.S., such as tongue, liver, and intestine, are valued in other parts of the world.
Several commodity groups are active in the USMEF: corn, soybeans, processors, packers, pork and beef, for example. Meyer explains that nine commodity groups work together, which is attractive to export markets because traders want to hear from the whole supply chain.
The USMEF is broad based with 18 offices around the world from Asia to Africa to South America. Meyer notes that each country finds value in different cuts of meat, including the underutilized cuts here in the U.S. — think tongue, liver or intestine. Meat exports add almost $500 per head on beef and $60 on pork.
The futures for beef supply are looking tight. The drought in the West has reduced cow numbers drastically, Meyer says. But he adds that demand will continue to be there. The story is not the same for pork. Meyer says pork is going to see a supply increase, and predicts demand will grow. Exports may grow due to disease outbreaks in China for example, with African Swine Fever.
The USMEF cannot lobby for items in the 2023 Farm Bill, explains Meyer. They’re role is to inform. And that’s what they’re doing now – talking to commodity groups about the positive impact of trade on farmers. He says opening up more free trade would be beneficial to U.S. red meat producers.
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