Interest in U.S. pork was brisk at the 13th World Food Moscow. The closing of...

Interest in U.S. pork was brisk at the 13th World Food Moscow. The closing of the Russian market to Brazilian pork four days prior to the show’s start only sharpened the interest in U.S. pork. Several U.S. companies told U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) staff that they sold out of items they could export to Russia through the end of the year at the show. Russian buyers were interested in all U.S. pork cuts from out-of-quota variety meats, jowls, liver, back fat and temple meat to picnics, trimmings and hams. Since a number of Russian companies had not yet utilized their U.S. pork quota, the show and a USMEF-hosted reception were ideal opportunities to match them with U.S. suppliers.

Nevertheless, USMEF Europe/Russia Pork Consultant Monty Brown still doubts that the U.S. will supply sufficient volume to fill its 42,000-metric ton quota in the few remaining weeks of the year. Brown also reports trade rumors that some Russian companies had managed to switch their U.S. quota allocation to cheap pork from Brazil, since the Russian ban on Brazilian pork was lifted after the show. “It will be interesting to see the Russian import figures for pork from Brazil and how they compare to their quota allocation at yearend,” commented Brown.

The Russian pork industry has stabilized in the last couple of years. USMEF has worked to create partnerships based on mutual trust between buyer and seller, and this was in evidence at Russia’s most prestigious food show. World Food Moscow ran from Sept. 21-24 and attracted more then 50,000 attendees, including Russian importers, distributors and processors.

Three USMEF member companies — Farmland, John Morrell and ATI International — exhibited at the USMEF booth. A number of other USMEF member companies — Tyson, Cargill Meat Solutions, MetaFoods, Mirasco, Porky Products, Interra, Boston Agrex and AJC International — also attended the show.

A reception hosted by USMEF and the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) on the evening of Sept. 22 was very well attended since U.S. red meat and poultry exporters have an overlapping client base in Russia.

Although Russia remains closed for U.S. beef, the show was a good opportunity to maintain and develop contacts with the Russian trade and respond to enquiries about U.S. beef.

The show was also well-attended by a number of other significant exporters to Russia such as Brazil, China, Poland and Ireland. Following Poland's accession to the EU, however, only 12 Polish plants have been approved to export to Russia after inspections by Russian veterinarians.

In 2003, the United States exported 7,433 metric tons of pork and 64,706 metric tons of beef (including variety meat) to Russia. Pork exports to Russia were valued at $7.9 million; beef exports were valued at $54.4 million.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation 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, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –

For use with this press release:

Photo 1: USMEF Director, Europe, Russia & the Middle East Jackie Hruby meets with Porky Product’s Mark Boyd at World Food Moscow

Photo 2: USMEF Director, Europe, Russia & the Middle East Jackie Hruby discusses policy and trade issues with James R Dever, USDA Area Director, Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and Eric Wenberg, Director of the Moscow Agricultural Trade Office.