Major Retailers in Japan Featuring U.S. Baby Back Pork Ribs
Major Retailers in Japan Featuring U.S. Baby Back Pork Ribs
USMEF-Japan’s recent participation in two major trade shows already is paying dividends for the U.S. pork industry with the help of two of Japan’s leading retailers.
USMEF showcased U.S. baby back pork ribs at FoodEx 2009, Asia’s largest food trade show, and at the Meat Industry Showcase, the largest meat-focused show in Japan. Recipes and menu suggestions captured the attention of many in the industry at both shows, and baby back ribs were successfully introduced by two of Japan’s leading retailers as a result.
As part of its current U.S. pork campaign, Aeon launched U.S. baby back pork ribs at five regional “anchor” outlets for a trial promotion May 29-31. Because baby back pork ribs are a new item for Japanese consumers, USMEF provided merchandising tips and suggested the use of seasonings to attract customers.
U.S. pork on display at one of Aeon’s five regional outlets
“Sales performed extremely well, much to the satisfaction of Aeon’s meat buyers,” said USMEF Japan director Gregory Hanes. “Plans are now in place to conduct a similar, higher-volume trial promotion in July, and Aeon is excited about promoting baby back pork ribs in December as a party menu item for the high-demand Christmas/New Year season.”
Another major retailer in Japan is also planning to hold a trial promotion for baby back pork ribs at 120 outlets later this month, in the first of a series of monthly promotions leading up to a nationwide promotion in December’s high-demand holiday season.
To further build on this retail success, USMEF-Japan is developing new “easy-to-cook” rib recipes based on familiar Japanese home cooking methods. Unique point-of-purchase materials for baby back pork rib promotions are also in development. On the foodservice side, a major chain restaurant operator is exploring ways to include baby back ribs on its menus at several well-known chains.
“We are very excited to see this item, which is quite new for this market, capturing so much interest in Japan,” Hanes said. “It’s another great example of how the U.S. pork industry is able to continue expanding our high-quality items in this market.”
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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 and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
Major Retailers in Japan Featuring U.S. Baby Back Pork Ribs
USMEF-Japan’s recent participation in two major trade shows already is paying dividends for the U.S. pork industry with the help of two of Japan’s leading retailers.
USMEF showcased U.S. baby back pork ribs at FoodEx 2009, Asia’s largest food trade show, and at the Meat Industry Showcase, the largest meat-focused show in Japan. Recipes and menu suggestions captured the attention of many in the industry at both shows, and baby back ribs were successfully introduced by two of Japan’s leading retailers as a result.
As part of its current U.S. pork campaign, Aeon launched U.S. baby back pork ribs at five regional “anchor” outlets for a trial promotion May 29-31. Because baby back pork ribs are a new item for Japanese consumers, USMEF provided merchandising tips and suggested the use of seasonings to attract customers.
U.S. pork on display at one of Aeon’s five regional outlets
“Sales performed extremely well, much to the satisfaction of Aeon’s meat buyers,” said USMEF Japan director Gregory Hanes. “Plans are now in place to conduct a similar, higher-volume trial promotion in July, and Aeon is excited about promoting baby back pork ribs in December as a party menu item for the high-demand Christmas/New Year season.”
Another major retailer in Japan is also planning to hold a trial promotion for baby back pork ribs at 120 outlets later this month, in the first of a series of monthly promotions leading up to a nationwide promotion in December’s high-demand holiday season.
To further build on this retail success, USMEF-Japan is developing new “easy-to-cook” rib recipes based on familiar Japanese home cooking methods. Unique point-of-purchase materials for baby back pork rib promotions are also in development. On the foodservice side, a major chain restaurant operator is exploring ways to include baby back ribs on its menus at several well-known chains.
“We are very excited to see this item, which is quite new for this market, capturing so much interest in Japan,” Hanes said. “It’s another great example of how the U.S. pork industry is able to continue expanding our high-quality items in this market.”
# # #
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 and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.