Suggested Lead: While economic caution flags are flying during final quarter of 2008, U.S. beef export levels continued to exceed expectations through the first nine months of the year. Beef and beef variety meat export volume increased 33 percent to 1.65 billion pounds and were valued at nearly $2.8 billion, a 45 percent jump from the same period the a year ago. U.S. Meat Export Federation is the beef checkoff contractor responsible for export market development. USMEF President and CEO Phil Seng outlines some of the reasons for success so far this year …tape
Cut #1 :42 O.C..."as exports."
Seng notes that the current world economic crisis and the strengthening of the U.S. dollar will continue to be a major challenge to export sales. He sees growing opportunity, however …tape
Cut #2 :24 O.C..."opportunities for us internationally."
A U.S. industry strength in world markets has been our industry’s ability to deliver large quantities of specific cuts to international customers. Seng says that while this remains a strength, restrictions in some market has meant that new cuts and new cooking methods have become important strategies in many markets. And he says achieving full access to markets must be a priority …tape.
Cut #3 :09 O.C..."right now for us."
For more information about the checkoff-funded foreign market development, visit www dot my beef checkoff dot com (www.MyBeefCheckoff.com) or www dot usmef dot org (www.usmef.org).
Contact: Melissa Slagle, 303-867-6306; mslagle@beefboard.org