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USMEF

What is USMEF?

USMEF has the most diverse membership of any 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.

What is the mission of USMEF?

The mission of USMEF is to “increase the value and profit opportunities for the U.S. beef, pork, and lamb industries by enhancing demand in export markets through a coordinated and collaborative partnership of all stakeholders.” Simply put, USMEF is “Putting U.S. Meat on the World’s Table.”

Where is USMEF located?

Headquartered in Denver, USMEF has offices in Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Singapore, Taipei, Mexico City, and Monterrey. USMEF also has special market representatives covering South America, South China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean.

How does USMEF increase U.S. red meat exports?

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 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.

How is USMEF funded?

USMEF is funded from a variety of sources, including membership dues, private contributions, and beef, pork, lamb, corn, 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.

How do red meat exports benefit the industry?

Beef:

  • In 2022, U.S. beef export value climbed to a record $11.68 billion, up 10% from 2021 and nearly 40% above the previous five-year average.

  • U.S. beef export value equated to a record $447.58 per head of fed slaughter in 2022, up 10% from the previous high achieved in 2021.

  • Exports of U.S. beef variety meat set an annual value record of $1.24 billion, up 15% in 2022.

Pork:

  • In 2022 the U.S. exported 2.67 million metric tons of pork and pork variety meat, valued at $7.68 billion.

  • U.S. pork export value equated to $61.26 per head per head of each hog processed in 2022.

  • U.S. pork variety meat exports averaged a record $10.15 per head slaughtered in 2022.

Lamb:

  • In 2022, the U.S. exported 2,225 metric tons valued at $13.2 million.

  • Growth was led by strengthening demand in the Caribbean in 2022, exports also increased substantially year-over-year to Mexico, Canada, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Feedgrain and Oilseeds:

  • In 2022, the market value of U.S. beef and pork exports to corn was $3.4 billion with 503.4 million bushels usage

  • U.S. beef and pork exports accounted for 3.42 million tons of U.S. DDGS in 2022

  • In 2022, the market value of U.S. pork exports to soybeans was 89.7 million bushels for $1.33 billion market value