[This release republished with permission of Nebraska Corn Board. See contact...

[This release republished with permission of Nebraska Corn Board. See contact information below.]

Exports of U.S. pork to Japan are skyrocketing, and the Nebraska Corn Board wants to make sure Nebraska pork producers go along for the ride.

The Nebraska Corn Board recently teamed up with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) on a special project aimed at introducing Nebraska value-added processed pork to Japanese meat buyers. The event, called the Nebraska Pork Sausage Tasting Session, took place in Tokyo.  The pork products used in the promotion came from Wimmer’s Meats, headquartered in West Point, Neb. 

“We welcomed the opportunity to help Nebraska’s pork producers showcase their product to this important group of Japanese decision-makers,” said Don Hutchens, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “The livestock industry is the No. 1 user of Nebraska corn, and the Nebraska swine industry is a very important customer, consuming about six percent of the corn we produce each year. A healthy pork industry is also vital to Nebraska’s overall economy, with all of the economic activity it generates.”

Nebraska pork producers are grateful for the support, according to Gary Doerr of Creighton, Neb., president of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association. “The Nebraska Corn Board has always been very good about helping us promote our product,” Doerr said. “The value-added U.S. pork promotion in Japan is another great example of how the pork and corn industries can work together for the benefit of both groups—and all of Nebraska.”

“This is a tremendous value-added promotion of Nebraska agriculture products,” added Hutchens. “We’re promoting a finished product that is raised, fed and processed right here in Nebraska.”

Japan is the top destination for U.S. pork, and U.S. pork exports to Japan have increased for 14 consecutive years. That trend is continuing in 2005—through August, exports of U.S. pork and pork variety meat to Japan are up 16 percent compared to the same period last year.

“Much of what the United States sends to Japan is either fresh pork for retail, or fresh-frozen pork, which Japanese processors turn into a wide range of products,” said Philip M. Seng, president and CEO of USMEF. “However, Japan also has the potential to be a large importer of processed pork products, and USMEF activities such as this are designed to increase exports of higher-margin U.S. processed pork products.” 

Seng said USMEF’s role is to position U.S. pork as a nutritious, tasty and safe product that can be consumed every day, as well as to differentiate U.S. pork from other imported pork. USMEF also educates target companies in the trade sector on the quality attributes of U.S. pork, its potential for long-term profitability and its availability in a wide range of cuts and value-added products.

According to Seng, U.S. pork exports are strong worldwide. Through August, U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports worldwide are up 19 percent in volume and 26 percent in value compared to the same period last year.

USMEF 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 and soybean checkoff programs.

The Nebraska Corn Board collects and disburses the funds generated by the 1/4 of a cent per bushel corn checkoff.  Nebraska corn checkoff funds are invested in programs of market development, research and education.

Additional Contact:
Don Hutchens
Nebraska Corn Board
Phone: 800-632-6761

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