Audio on Final 2008 Export Results

The final 2008 export results show excellent growth for both U.S. pork and beef in the global marketplace. Pork continued to be the pacesetter for red meat exports, achieving a 17th consecutive record-setting year of increased export numbers.  For 2008, pork export volume was up by 57 percent to more than 2 million metric tons, valued at nearly $4.9 billion. USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng says many factors drove this tremendous surge in pork exports.

Audio Clip #1                        :29       Outcue:            (… to these export markets.)

For the calendar year, beef export volumes rose 28 percent to nearly 2.2 billion pounds, while the value jumped 38 percent to $3.6 billion. These results confirm that U.S. beef exports have recovered dramatically since being shut out of most global markets in 2003 due to BSE, and the presence of U.S. beef has rebounded in several key markets.

Audio Clip #2                        :35       Outcue:            (… our beef exports.)

Seng emphasized the importance of meat exports to livestock producers, especially in light of recent trends in domestic consumption. He said USMEF will continue to focus on growing exports of a wide range of products – everything from higher-end middle meats to underutilized muscle cuts and variety meats.

Audio Clip #3                        :45       Outcue:            (…around the world.)

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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.