U.S. Beef Livers Promoted as Great Source of Iron in Peru

Finding more international destinations for beef livers is a high priority for the U.S. beef industry. With support from the Beef Checkoff Program and the USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is extolling the nutritional benefits of U.S. beef liver in Peru, which has a high rate of childhood anemia.

Working with the Peruvian Health Ministry, USMEF developed an educational campaign designed to show consumers that U.S. beef liver is a great source of iron. USMEF South America representative Jessica Julca explains that developing recipes for liver meatballs, sandwiches and other entrée options helped show consumers that U.S. beef liver is not only nutritious, but is also a very enjoyable and affordable protein choice. Consumer outreach took place at supermarkets, wet markets and butcher shops that feature U.S. beef liver.

U.S. beef liver exports to Peru totaled 4,113 metric tons (mt) in 2019, a 3% increase from 2018. Globally, U.S. beef liver exports in 2019 were 86,572 mt, the highest in five years, with Egypt as the largest destination. Export value for U.S. beef livers made impressive gains in 2019, climbing 13% year-over-year to just under $91 million.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing & feeding, pork producing & feeding, lamb producing & feeding, packing & processing, purveying & trading, oilseeds producing, feedgrains producing, farm organizations and supply & service organizations. USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law. USMEF is an equal opportunity employer and provider.