China Pork Buyers Audio

Representatives of China’s pork industry have arrived in Ohio to begin a week-long examination of U.S. pork production and processing practices. The 11-member delegation will visit Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa over the course of the week, with opportunities to gain firsthand insights into all aspects of the U.S. pork industry. The tour was organized by USMEF and is co-hosted by the Ohio Soybean Council and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

One of the keys to long-term success in China’s “roller coaster” pork market is the development of positive relationships with meat buyers in the region. The team of pork industry representatives visiting the United States is looking not only to increase its understanding of the U.S. pork industry, but also to develop contacts with producers and exporters.

Audio Link:

According to Kirk Merritt, international marketing director for the Ohio Soybean Council, Ohio soybean producers view pork exports as an important factor in their profitability.

(Audio with Kirk Merritt, international marketing director for the Ohio Soybean Council)

Merritt Audio Clip #1:              :20        Outcue: “…exports of Ohio pork.”

In Ohio, the group will receive an educational view of Ohio pork research and production as the well as the opportunity to meet with representatives from many sectors of Ohio agriculture. In addition to the Ohio Soybean Council, Merritt expects representatives of the Ohio Pork Producers Council, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Ohio Corn Marketing Program to participate.

Merritt Audio Clip #2:              :40        Outcue: “…from the United States.”

On Thursday the group travels to Indiana for a visit to the headquarters of Elanco Animal Health, for an overview of Elanco’s worldwide contributions to improved swine health and performance. The team will also tour the Indiana Packers Corporation’s operation in Delphi. The delegation will be in Chicago Friday through Sunday, where highlights will include a visit to the Chicago Board of Trade.

Monday, they arrive in Des Moines for a “Meet the Buyers” conference in which they will meet with representatives of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, as well as leaders from other sectors of Iowa agriculture. Iowa Pork Producers Association Executive Director Rich Degner says his members view this event as a great opportunity to showcase Iowa pork to an important audience.

(Audio with Rich Degner, executive director of the IowaPork Producers Association)

Degner Audio Clip #1:              :36        Outcue: “…exporting our product.”

Degner added that U.S. pork producers are experiencing a period of very high production and extremely high operating costs, so it is especially important to continue to build export market share.

Degner Audio Clip #2:              :26        Outcue: “…to consumers globally.”

Additional activities in Iowa include tours of the JBS Swift plant in Marshalltown and the Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Ottumwa. The delegation will also visit with faculty and staff of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University in Ames.

# # #

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.) 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.