Japan | USMEF Hands Out Pork Samples And Beef Information At FoodEx 2005 | Th...

Japan

USMEF Hands Out Pork Samples And Beef Information At FoodEx 2005

The USMEF booth at Japan’s premier trade show, FoodEx 2005 this week (March 8-11) attracted thousands of visitors, including buyers from major Japanese supermarkets and restaurant chains such as AEON, Daiei and Yoshinoya. Eight U.S. packers — Smithfield, Johnsonville, PSF, Sara Lee, Snake River Farms, Sugardale, SIG International and Tyson — exhibited pork and processed pork products at booths rented from USMEF.

USMEF distributed samples of U.S. pork items served with four special sauces developed for the USMEF U.S. pork campaign — Ginger pork, Shabu Shabu, Spareribs and Nibuta — to rave reviews. A taste test comparison between frozen and chilled pork emphasized the superior flavor of chilled U.S. pork.

FoodEx allowed USMEF-Japan to provide updated information on negotiations between the U.S. and Japan on the beef ban and the U.S. grading system, especially A 40 maturity.

USMEF-Japan reports that buyers were very interested in information concerning the beef ban, and USMEF staff conducted many brief meetings on the subject. Buyers asked USMEF staff when the market will open since they want as much notice as possible to develop sales and buying plans. Many said they thought the slow working of the Japanese government would mean a resumption of U.S. beef exports to Japan in late summer or early fall. Buyers were also worried about how much volume the U.S. would export to Japan once the ban was lifted, considering the likely new age restriction. Retail representatives expressed concern that both media and consumers could react negatively to U.S. beef when the market does open.

Six beef packers exhibited beef produced and cut in imitation of U.S. specifications at Mexico’s pavilion, including boneless short ribs and rib finger meat. Canadian and New Zealand beef exhibitors emphasized traceability and safety systems.

Japan

USMEF Hands Out Pork Samples And Beef Information At FoodEx 2005

The USMEF booth at Japan’s premier trade show, FoodEx 2005 this week (March 8-11) attracted thousands of visitors, including buyers from major Japanese supermarkets and restaurant chains such as AEON, Daiei and Yoshinoya. Eight U.S. packers — Smithfield, Johnsonville, PSF, Sara Lee, Snake River Farms, Sugardale, SIG International and Tyson — exhibited pork and processed pork products at booths rented from USMEF.

USMEF distributed samples of U.S. pork items served with four special sauces developed for the USMEF U.S. pork campaign — Ginger pork, Shabu Shabu, Spareribs and Nibuta — to rave reviews. A taste test comparison between frozen and chilled pork emphasized the superior flavor of chilled U.S. pork.

FoodEx allowed USMEF-Japan to provide updated information on negotiations between the U.S. and Japan on the beef ban and the U.S. grading system, especially A 40 maturity.

USMEF-Japan reports that buyers were very interested in information concerning the beef ban, and USMEF staff conducted many brief meetings on the subject. Buyers asked USMEF staff when the market will open since they want as much notice as possible to develop sales and buying plans. Many said they thought the slow working of the Japanese government would mean a resumption of U.S. beef exports to Japan in late summer or early fall. Buyers were also worried about how much volume the U.S. would export to Japan once the ban was lifted, considering the likely new age restriction. Retail representatives expressed concern that both media and consumers could react negatively to U.S. beef when the market does open.

Six beef packers exhibited beef produced and cut in imitation of U.S. specifications at Mexico’s pavilion, including boneless short ribs and rib finger meat. Canadian and New Zealand beef exhibitors emphasized traceability and safety systems.