04/08/08 Increasing beef exports

Exporter and the chairman of the US Meat Export Federation Don Halstrom says there's reason to expect increased access for US beef in foreign markets. HALSTROM "A lot of the checkoff dollars go into some of the foreign development activities whether it be in store promotions, trade teams, seminars, chef competitions, these sorts of things are all designed in the foreign marketplace to increase that base consumption of beef in these foreign markets." Halstrom says USMEF is working to open access for specialty beef products and high end cuts in developing markets around the world. Mexico is just one example. HALSTROM "The economy is developing to the point where they can afford the higher end cuts, the upper two thirds choice for example and are paying the, price for them and so as these developing markets develop economically Mexico, Russia another good example, China. We don't have access there but China is another one where the future is very bright for our beef in those markets." They're using money from the producer one-dollar per head checkoff to expand the beef exports to countries where people have more spendable income and the desire for US products. HALSTROM "There is a void there were imports of US beef, high quality grain feed US beef have a real opportunity for increased growth." Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott