The current trade picture has not always been pretty. Grains and livestock have both had their share of challenges to start 2023. However, there is some good and bad news in this information. The bad news is that we are in a global economic downturn, and even that bad news has a slight silver lining. It?s tough for everyone, not just the United States. The good news is that this is normally a slower time of year that we are almost ready to come out of, so we should hopefully see a turnaround very soon.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation just held its Spring Conference in Minneapolis, MN this past week. They say that they had a record turnout for the multi-day convention. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom says that there is still a lot to celebrate right now.
Even though we are in an economic downturn, the demand is still relatively good for our products. Much like consumers at home, shoppers abroad have not slowed down their purchases of proteins, including cuts of beef and pork.
After the start of 2023 was slow, the export demand is starting to pick up, as we would expect to see.
While beef and pork get much of the attention, we are also seeing some marketing strengthening for lamb as well.
That was USMEF?s Dan Halstrom.
