Audio on Lamb Exports to Caribbean

(Audio with Elizabeth Wunderlich, USMEF representative in the Caribbean region)

Exports of U.S. lamb to the Caribbean have increased at rapid pace in 2008, further establishing this region as the top destination for U.S. lamb in terms of value. Through October, lamb muscle cut exports to the Caribbean have doubled in volume and tripled in value over the same period last year, with Bermuda and The Bahamas standing out as leading individual markets.

Elizabeth Wunderlich, U.S. Meat Export Federation representative in the Caribbean region, says one of the most important advantages for lamb in this region is the Caribbean population’s familiarity with the product.

Audio link:

Audio Clip #1               :29        Outcue:            “… already love it.”           

She added that U.S. lamb has some excellent marketing opportunities in the Caribbean in both the retail and foodservice sectors, due to our close proximity and ability to export fresh lamb to the region.

Audio Clip #2               :47        Outcue:            “… kind of Caribbean flair.”                

While lamb variety meat exports have declined worldwide this year, lamb muscle cut exports have increased  8 percent in volume and 80 percent in value over 2007. Sales in the Caribbean region have accounted for about 35 percent of the volume and more than 60 percent of the value of these exports.

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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.