Macau as an Introduction for U.S. Beef Exports

The world's fastest growing market for beef is China. While U.S. beef is not currently eligible for exports to China, if it was opened to U.S. beef it would swiftly put China among the top five export markets, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Macau is a special administrative region of China that allows legalized gaming. Macau attracts about 30 million visitors per year to its 35 casinos and other entertainment venues. Macau does allow imports of U.S. beef under the same trade practices as Hong Kong

Recently the U.S. Meat Export Federation collaborated with a state beef council to have a successful outdoor barbecue event which attracted meat buyers and food professionals.

A U.S. rancher who participated in the BBQ -- Myron Danner says that promoting U.S. beef in Macau has the added benefit of reaching millions of prospective customers from mainland China.

Danner: "It's the only legalized gambling spot in China. And when they go, it's going to be where they go for better quality food. But the other thing that I see is, people from mainland China come and of course U.S. beef is locked out of mainland China at the moment. But I can see that changing pretty rapidly. We're going to get exposure to the masses of people that live on mainland China that at the moment have never had U.S. beef. They come to Macau to gamble and they are only there for a few days but the exposure is going to be phenomenal. If it ever opens up to the mainland -- look out."