Egypt and Russia are the two major importers of beef liver. Egypt’s liver imports surpassed Russia’s in 2013 for the first time since 2007. Since 2013, Egypt’s liver imports have continued to grow, and they increased by 2.6 percent in 2015 to 78,827 mt. Russia imported 38 percent of total liver imports in 2010, and that share dropped to 25 percent by 2015. At the same time, Egypt’s share of total live imports increased from 28 percent to 40 percent in 2015. Other top import markets in 2015 included South Africa, Angola, Peru, Cote D’Ivoire, Mexico, Brazil, Belarus and Ukraine, and Indonesia was a major importer through 2011.
U.S. liver exports were 72,641 mt in 2015, with 82 percent of exports destined for Egypt. The next largest destination was Mexico at 5 percent. Other top export markets in 2015 were Peru, Angola, Jamaica, Chile, Canada and Colombia. Russia took a significant share of U.S. liver exports until 2013, with Russia accounting for 17-20 percent of U.S. liver exports from 2010-2012. Indonesia was also a significant export market for the U.S. in 2010 and 2011.
In 2015, 90 percent of Argentina’s total liver exports (27,242 mt) went to Russia. Egypt and South Africa were the main destinations for Australia’s exports with each taking more than 8,000 mt. Russia was the EU’s largest export market at 3,215 mt, followed by Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa and Senegal. And for New Zealand, Russia, Egypt, and South Africa were the three major destinations.
To analyze additional opportunity markets for U.S. beef liver exports, USMEF examined average annual beef liver imports, average annual U.S. beef liver exports, main suppliers, tariff rates, 2015 population and market access of over 20 markets.
USMEF found that the top near-term opportunities for U.S. beef liver exports include South America – Peru, Colombia, and Chile; Africa – South Africa, Angola, Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal; Central America – Honduras and Nicaragua; and CIS – Ukraine. USMEF’s international offices are in the process of conducting trade servicing and marketing activities to promote beef liver in these markets.
The top priorities countries for improving market access are Indonesia and Kazakhstan. Indonesia was the ninth largest liver importer in the world in 2010. In 2010, it was the sixth largest market for U.S. exports at 2,552 mt, and in 2011, it was the fifth largest market for U.S. exports at 3,513 mt. Kazakhstan is mainly supplied by Germany and Poland, but it has the potential to be a medium-term opportunity market for U.S. beef livers with expanded access.
NOTE: Accompanying slides are available online.
Sources: Global Trade Atlas, World Trade Organization and Euromonitor