Producers and Ag Industry Leaders Examine Korea, Japan Markets
Hear/Download the Audio Report HERE
A team of about 20 representatives of the beef, pork, corn and soybean industries traveled to South Korea and Japan last week with the USMEF Heartland team to examine how checkoff dollars are being used to promote U.S. beef and pork in the region.
The Heartland Team visited a beef processing plant, various retail sites and the headquarters of a leading hamburger chain. With home meal and restaurant meal replacement kits soaring in popularity, the group also got a firsthand demonstration of how U.S. pork and beef are utilized in these kits.
In this USMEF Audio Report, three of the tour participants share observations about the Korea and Japan markets and how U.S. red meat is being marketed there.
Iowa pork producer Gene Noem, who represents the National Pork Board on the USMEF Executive Committee, notes how the message of quality of U.S. pork is resonating with consumers in Asia.
Laurie Johnson, a beef producer from South Dakota, observes the impact of home meal replacement kits in Korea and the opportunity available for U.S. beef as consumers seek more convenience.
And for Kentucky cattleman Don Pemberton, the market visits to Korea and Japan showed how competitive the meat case is in a global marketplace.