U.S. Red Meat Thrives in Convenience Stores as Sector Adjusts to COVID-19

In the past several years the convenience store sector has emerged as an important and rapidly growing outlet for U.S. pork and beef in international markets. This year is no exception, though the sector has made significant adjustments to accommodate changing consumer routines and preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jesse Austin, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) vice president for marketing, explains that many countries have seen a dramatic increase in people working from home, so convenience stores in central business districts have seen a decline in sales while convenience store sales have increased in residential areas. While overall traffic is lower, customers are spending more per visit. Austin notes that U.S. pork and beef are well-positioned to capitalize on consumers' growing demand for convenient food items that are also high in quality. He says that while Japan is definitely the global pacesetter in terms of convenience store offerings, new products have also been launched in key markets such as South Korea and Mexico.

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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.