USMEF’s Greg Hanes Offers Beef Export Update
Demand for U.S. beef is expanding in foreign markets.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Nov. 28, 2017) — “Keep making more beef. We’re going to need it for growing export markets.”
Greg Hanes delivered that entreaty to cattlemen attending Range Beef Cow Symposium XXV, hosted Nov. 28-30 in Cheyenne, Wyo. Hanes, the assistant vice president of international marketing for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), provided an update on international trade, emphasizing the significance of U.S. beef exports.
“You all should think about beef exports, because you all are global suppliers,” stated Hanes, reminding the audience that 96% of beef consumers reside outside the United States.
Hanes explained how USMEF maintains offices in 20 locations around the world, working in more than 90 countries, first to gain access to foreign markets and then to promote export sales of U.S. product. Promotion efforts include showing how beef can fit these various countries’ cultures, tastes and cooking styles. Foreign consumers are responding, largely due to U.S. beef quality.
Hanes said the value of U.S. beef exports should top $7 billion in 2017. That represents 7.5% growth compared to the previous year and continued growth of 4% to 5% are expected next year. Hanes listed Japan, Mexico, Korea, Canada and China (including Hong Kong) as the top five export markets.
Singling out Japan, Hanes said purchases to that important market grew by 22% so far this year, even without benefit of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Total U.S. beef exports to Japan are close to surpassing Australia, despite higher tariffs than those levied on beef from Japan’s long-favored trading partner. For chilled beef, the United States has already gained a 52% share of the Japanese market.
According to Hanes, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been important to U.S. producers, aiding sales of beef to both Mexico and Canada. Exports to those countries represent 30% of all beef exports and about 3% of all beef produced in the United States.
Noting the huge potential for beef exports to China, Hanes said access to that market came with certain restrictions against beef produced with growth promotants. Thus, growth of sales to China has been challenging. Chinese consumers want quality U.S. beef, however, prices are higher in that market due to the production requirements. As more "China-eligible" beef is produced in the United States, prices should continue to decline, resulting in increased exports.
Explaining the impact of U.S. beef exports, Hanes said much of the export volume includes rounds, skirts and variety meats — cuts that bring a premium over their relatively low value in the domestic market. That contributes to added carcass value.
“If you remember only one number today,” stated Hanes, “it should be that exports add $277 per head to the value of cattle fed in the U.S.”
Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of the Angus Journal®, which retains the copyright. To request to reprint this article, contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter. Angus Journal claims copyright to this website as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.
The Angus Journal's coverage of the event is made possible in collaboration with the event committee. For questions about this site, or to notify us of broken links, click here. Look for additional coverage in the Angus Journal, the Angus Beef Bulletin, the Angus Journal Daily, the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA and The Angus Report.
