2012 U.S. Beef Exports Reviewed and Look Ahead to 2013

2012 U.S. Beef Exports Reviewed and Look Ahead to 2013

I’m KayDee Gilkey with today’s Open Range.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation recently released its summary of January through November 2012 export results.

Although December 2012 results are still to be tabulated, the beef export value is on pace to reach a record $5.5 billion, despite volume being down more than 10 percent compared to 2011. This is due in part to lower cattle supplies and higher prices slowing shipments to some markets.

U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Philip Seng says that after a decade, the industry still faces significant BSE-related barriers. He shares shares more about beef export results in key markets and challenges that are ahead.

Seng: “We’re going in to our 10th year, and we still don’t have full market access in some of these major markets that we use to have. But we’ve already eclipsed $5 billion already this year as far as beef exports. Our volume numbers are down, but I think when we look at this from a value standpoint, we are pretty encouraged going into next year. We are looking forward to seeing some things with Japan as far as moving from the 20 month barrier to 30 month barrier. Of course the wild card is always China. We are eagerly waiting to get into the Chinese market. It is one of the most sizable growth markets in the world and we need to be participating in that."