Our Features
Our Objectives
Total Carcass Utilization
Maximize returns at each link in the marketing chain by building export demand for value-added products and the complete range of red-meat items, especially those that are under-utilised in the U.S. market.
Market Presence
Increase the presence of U.S. red meat and red-meat products in the HRI and retail sectors in targeted export markets.
Trade Support
Gather and disseminate market intelligence and facilitate contact between U.S. exporters and targeted buyers in export markets.
Market Presence
Establish positive images for U.S. beef, pork and lamb with consumers in targeted export markets.
Buyer Education and Loyalty
Educate targeted buyers in export markets on the attributes of U.S. red meat and red-meat products and build buyer loyalty to products exported from the United States.
Market Access
Secure meaningful, sustained access to new and existing export markets using all available means.
To achieve its objectives, the USMEF works with businesses and consumers to promote the use and awareness of United States’ meat products abroad. In addition, the USMEF works with governments and their agencies to improve trade relationships and eliminate or lower trade barriers or restrictions.
The USMEF, with its headquarters in Denver, Colorado and through its international offices in Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Mexico City, London, and Moscow, offers support to these efforts.
The USMEF also has a number of consultants who provide educational and product information, technical support and trade assistance services in the Caribbean, South America, Middle East and other countries. Funding for all these efforts is provided by membership dues and contributions, industry checkoff funds and government sponsored export and market development programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
USMEF is the most vertically integrated trade association in the meat and livestock industry. USMEF represents beef/veal producers and feeders, pork producers and feeders, lamb producers and feeders, packers and processors, purveyors and traders, oilseeds producers, feedgrains producers, farm organizations and supply and service organizations.
USMEF carries out market development activities in more than 80 countries. These activities fall into several primary areas:
- Marketing: Creating demand in international markets for U.S. meat through promotions, trade seminars, consumer education, advertising and public relations.
- Trade Servicing: Working to bring buyer and seller together and by conducting both market and product research.
- Market Access: Providing the U.S. government and industry with the market intelligence necessary to secure, maintain and develop fair and reasonable access to international markets.
USMEF is funded from a variety of sources, including membership dues, private contributions and beef, pork, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs. In addition, as a cooperator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USMEF also receives funds through the Market Access, Emerging Market and Foreign Market Development programs
Beef: In 2009, beef and beef variety meat exports amounted to 897,376 metric tons (1.97 billion pounds) worth $3.08 billion. The top 10 exported beef cuts represent 85 percent of total U.S. beef exports. The U.S. beef export value equated to $118.27 per head of each steer and heifer processed in 2009.
Approximately 10 percent of U.S. beef and variety meat production was exported in 2009. In 2009 net beef and variety meat exports were valued at $265 million, marking the second consecutive year of net exports 2003 (net exports in 2008: $445 million).
Pork: In 2009 the U.S. exported 1.87 million metric tons (4.1 billion pounds) of pork and pork variety meat, valued at more than $4.8 billion. The U.S. pork export value equated to $38.44 per head of each hog processed in 2009 compared to $42.31 in 2008 and $30.22 in 2007.
Approximately 22.5 percent of U.S. pork and variety meat production was exported in 2009.
Feedgrain and Oilseeds:
Every metric ton of U.S. red meat exports utilizes about 1.5 acres of corn. Every pound of U.S. pork exported represents the utilization of 1.3 pounds of U.S. soybeans. Every pound of U.S. beef exported represents the utilization of 5.7 pounds of U.S. feedgrains. USMEF estimates that more than 430 million bushels of corn and more than 75 million bushels of soybeans were exported through U.S. red meat exports in 2009. While direct corn exports have increased 42 percent since 1990, indirect exports through red meat have increased 366 percent.