More than 200 Korean traders, wholesalers and retailers attended a U.S. Meat ...

More than 200 Korean traders, wholesalers and retailers attended a U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) day-long seminar informing them about the current market situation, opportunities in the market and strategies for importing chilled U.S. pork into Korea.

The seminar provided reassurance to attendees that chilled U.S. pork is safe, high quality and profitable. Main topics included temperature control, microorganism control and hygienic procedures from slaughter to shipping. In addition, details about how chilled U.S. pork is packaged to extend shelf life, without affecting quality and safety, were also discussed. 

“The seminar was a great opportunity to educate and inform a specific target audience about chilled U.S. pork and discuss concerns and opportunities in the Korean marketplace,” said Min Park, USMEF Korea public relations manager.

The seminar featured Dr. Robert Delmore of California Polytechnic State University, Kemi Nobuhide of Mao International, J.G. Jung of Cryovac Korea and W.H. Lee of Meat Business ConsultingCenter.

A brief history of chilled U.S. pork and its profitability in Japan were presented due to its direct influence and impact on the Korean marketplace.

Speakers at the seminar focused on how improved packing technology, prolonged shelf life and enhanced transportation methods have dramatically increased the demand for chilled U.S. pork from 2003, when only small amounts of chilled U.S. pork were exported to Korea.

“USMEF has made tremendous progress in educating and increasing awareness of the profitability, quality and overall safety of chilled U.S. pork,” said Park. “We have held various U.S. pork promotions to increase sales volume.”

Aggressive marketing by USMEF to restaurants and retail stores has assisted in the rapidly increasing consumption of chilled U.S. pork. USMEF visited 250 Korean-style barbecue restaurants in Busan and provided U.S. pork belly and Boston butt samples and conducted an informative seminar targeting restaurant owners in the Suwon area. Promotions were also held at many discount stores. As a result, two top outlet chains continue to sell chilled U.S. pork.

The export volume of chilled U.S. pork to Korea is expected to be about 6,000 metric tons (mt) in 2005 due to steady increases in consumption and consumer confidence in the product. While this represents a small share of the more than 50,000 mt of U.S. pork and pork variety meat exported to Korea in the first nine months of this year, the share of total sales continues to grow rapidly.

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, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –

The following photo is available with this release:

Photo 1– Korean traders, wholesalers and retailers attend a U.S. Meat Export Federation day-long seminar informing them about the current market situation, opportunities in the market and strategies for importing chilled U.S. pork into Korea.