Opportunities for United States pork overseas (Part 1 of 2)

by | Jan 21, 2020 | 5 Ag Stories, News

United States pork exports are up seven-percent year-to-date, which is largely driven by African Swine Fever (ASF) in China.

An industry professional analyzes opportunities for United States pork in the year ahead.

Norman Bessac, vice president of international marketing at the National Pork Board, lays out four areas of opportunity for U.S. pork internationally. He first looks to an agreement made with Japan as an opportunity to regain lost market share.

?Over the last couple years, we (have) had a number of events that hurt our share in that market. Now we?re on a level playing field. The real opportunity is to distinguish the United States as a country that can provide a variety of options, high quality, and consistency of product and supply for that market.

National Pork Board staff also look to develop and diversify pork products entering Mexico.

?Fortunately because of the proximity to the United States and the quality of products we have going there, there aren?t a lot of competitive options. But we don?t want to take that for granted,? Bessac said. ?We send Mexico a lot of ham products. They have enjoyed the quality and consistency that we?ve offered there.?

National Pork Board (NPB) staff plan to “introduce new items” to “balance out the pork carcass.” The organzation will take on this effort with assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

?We?re excited about taking advantage of the Emerging Markets Program and Quality Samples Program to introduce new loin items,” Bessac said. “We?re focusing on the loin primal – Loins, whether bone-in or boneless, tenderloins, ham ends, rib ends, and riblets – and developing those items as the market continues to grow.?

Tomorrow, Bessac will discuss the last “two” areas of opportunity for United States pork internationally.