U.S. Pork Faring Well in No. 1 Foreign Market
U.S. Pork Faring Well in No. 1 Foreign Market
Japan remains fully open to U.S. pork, with new opportunities emerging
While there is no question that influenza-related market closures and economic disruption are having are having a negative impact on pork trade, market activity in Japan has emerged as a notable bright spot amid the stream of sober news reports.
Japan does not yet have a confirmed case of the H1N1 virus, but has increased health screenings for travelers entering the country and provided the public with advisories to help avoid the introduction and spread of the disease. Japan’s media have been quick to change most references to the disease from swine flu to “shin-gata” or “new-type flu.” Government health officials have been diligent about educating consumers on the safety of pork, and dispelling rumors and misinformation linking the influenza virus to pork consumption or production. They have repeatedly assured consumers that pork is safe to enjoy, regardless of its origin.
“Japan has really set a great example for handling the influenza situation effectively and responsibly,” said Gregory Hanes, USMEF Japan director. “The actions taken here have been a great help to us in reassuring importers, distributors and retailers that trade is going to remain open, and in educating consumers about the safety of pork.”
The United States is the market share leader for imported pork in Japan, which is by far the largest value market for U.S. pork exports. In 2008, Japan imported 451,843 metric tons of U.S. pork plus pork variety meats valued at nearly $1.55 billion. Through January and February of this year, exports to Japan have accelerated by 23 percent in volume and 35 percent in value over the same period last year.
Japan is the No. 1 international market for U.S. pork with exports of nearly $1.55 billion last year
“With the successful model that USMEF has established in Japan, we cannot overstate the importance of this market to the U.S. pork industry,” Hanes said. “Pork producers have been very committed to building this market, and they are seeing a terrific return on that investment.”
Even amid the global disruption related to the H1N1 influenza virus, U.S. pork success stories are emerging from Japan. One the nation’s largest supermarket chains recently announced plans to carry chilled pork back ribs on a trial basis at 60 of its outlets. This announcement resulted in part from USMEF’s sampling strategy at FoodEx Japan 2009 – Asia’s largest food industry trade show held in Tokyo in March - during which back rib sampling proved highly successful.
Restaurant chain Wolfgang Puck has also announced the addition of three U.S. pork items to its new grand menu: sausage, spare ribs, and bone-in pork loin. These menu additions also resulted from industry contacts developed at FoodEx.
“These are two significant breakthroughs that will further advance the presence of U.S. pork in Japan’s retail and foodservice sectors,” Hanes said. “We will work closely with the retailer to make the back rib trial highly successful, which could set the stage for wider featuring in even more locations. As for Wolfgang Puck, it is a very popular and trend-setting restaurant here in Japan. So additional menu items carrying the U.S. pork logo will further enhance the image of U.S. pork.”
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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.
U.S. Pork Faring Well in No. 1 Foreign Market
Japan remains fully open to U.S. pork, with new opportunities emerging
While there is no question that influenza-related market closures and economic disruption are having are having a negative impact on pork trade, market activity in Japan has emerged as a notable bright spot amid the stream of sober news reports.
Japan does not yet have a confirmed case of the H1N1 virus, but has increased health screenings for travelers entering the country and provided the public with advisories to help avoid the introduction and spread of the disease. Japan’s media have been quick to change most references to the disease from swine flu to “shin-gata” or “new-type flu.” Government health officials have been diligent about educating consumers on the safety of pork, and dispelling rumors and misinformation linking the influenza virus to pork consumption or production. They have repeatedly assured consumers that pork is safe to enjoy, regardless of its origin.
“Japan has really set a great example for handling the influenza situation effectively and responsibly,” said Gregory Hanes, USMEF Japan director. “The actions taken here have been a great help to us in reassuring importers, distributors and retailers that trade is going to remain open, and in educating consumers about the safety of pork.”
The United States is the market share leader for imported pork in Japan, which is by far the largest value market for U.S. pork exports. In 2008, Japan imported 451,843 metric tons of U.S. pork plus pork variety meats valued at nearly $1.55 billion. Through January and February of this year, exports to Japan have accelerated by 23 percent in volume and 35 percent in value over the same period last year.
Japan is the No. 1 international market for U.S. pork with exports of nearly $1.55 billion last year
“With the successful model that USMEF has established in Japan, we cannot overstate the importance of this market to the U.S. pork industry,” Hanes said. “Pork producers have been very committed to building this market, and they are seeing a terrific return on that investment.”
Even amid the global disruption related to the H1N1 influenza virus, U.S. pork success stories are emerging from Japan. One the nation’s largest supermarket chains recently announced plans to carry chilled pork back ribs on a trial basis at 60 of its outlets. This announcement resulted in part from USMEF’s sampling strategy at FoodEx Japan 2009 – Asia’s largest food industry trade show held in Tokyo in March - during which back rib sampling proved highly successful.
Restaurant chain Wolfgang Puck has also announced the addition of three U.S. pork items to its new grand menu: sausage, spare ribs, and bone-in pork loin. These menu additions also resulted from industry contacts developed at FoodEx.
“These are two significant breakthroughs that will further advance the presence of U.S. pork in Japan’s retail and foodservice sectors,” Hanes said. “We will work closely with the retailer to make the back rib trial highly successful, which could set the stage for wider featuring in even more locations. As for Wolfgang Puck, it is a very popular and trend-setting restaurant here in Japan. So additional menu items carrying the U.S. pork logo will further enhance the image of U.S. pork.”
# # #
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.