The future of U.S. red meat exports will be explored and discussed at the up...

The future of U.S. red meat exports will be explored and discussed at the upcoming Global Outlook Symposium, presented by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Oct. 29 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

In addition to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) global forecasts, USMEF international directors, who work in the markets daily, will provide the latest information on factors shaping the conditions for U.S. red meat exports in 2008 and beyond.

“If your livelihood depends on meat export market growth,” says USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng, “This combination of USDA global forecasts and USMEF country-specific outlooks will provide a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges facing U.S. red meat exports in the years ahead.”

USDA Chief Economist Keith Collins has been invited to present his export forecasts and projections in addition to economic implications of programs, regulations and legislative proposals that could affect meat exports. Collins also is responsible for the World Agricultural Outlook Board, the Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis and the Global Change Program Office, so his views naturally come from a global perspective and how the United States fits into that outlook.

USMEF Manager, Research and Analysis Erin Daley will supply an overview of global red meat trade, including a competitor analysis and the advantages of U.S. beef and pork in international markets. This will provide participants with a better idea of where their competition is coming from and how their products can be marketed to mitigate the opposition.

USMEF international directors representing all major U.S. export markets will supply firsthand knowledge of their market’s culture, economic and trade situations and highlight emerging trends in their markets, explain trade dynamics affecting U.S. red meat imports and answer audience questions.

The symposium will be held in conjunction with the annual USMEF Strategic Planning Conference where beef and pork producers and exporter members begin to review initial plans for marketing activities slated for fiscal year 2009. USMEF members also will elect officers and sector representatives during this conference.

The Global Outlook Symposium is included for those who sign up for the conference. However, others interested in attending the four-hour symposium only can pay a separate reduced registration. see the Global Outlook Symposium flyer and registration or the Strategic Planning Conference brochure and registration.

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 –