It has been just over one year since U.S. beef returned to the Brazilian market, following a long absence resulting from the December 2003 BSE case. Cheyenne McEndaffer, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) technical services manager, was recently in Brazil and provides an update on how demand for U.S. beef is developing.
McEndaffer notes that U.S. picanha (top sirloin cap) was expected to perform well in Brazil, and demand for this cut has been strong. Brazilian buyers are also interested in U.S. loins, ribs, tri-tips and livers. She joined several USMEF member companies in São Paulo for the APAS Supermarket Show, one of South America's largest food trade shows, to discuss these and other U.S. beef cuts with prospective customers.
McEndaffer explains that Brazil has plant and product label registration requirements that have presented obstacles for some U.S. exporters. Import procedures also vary by state and by port, so she is working to educate U.S. suppliers about these issues to help U.S. beef shipments move more smoothly into the Brazilian market.