USMEF Weekly Audio Report: Global Recession Sparks Changes in Marketing Strategies for U.S. Beef Exports...

July 20, 2009 - The global economic recession has created a challenging environment for U.S. beef exports, as the currencies of many trading partners are down compared to last year, discretionary income has declined,  and consumers are trending toward lower-priced proteins.

On Friday, July 17, at the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, U.S. Meat Export Federation Senior Vice President Thad Lively briefed cattle producers on several changes in marketing strategy that USMEF has undertaken in order to adapt to these adverse economic conditions.

Through the first five months of 2009, U.S. beef muscle cut exports have increased 4 percent in volume and 2 percent in value compared to the same period in 2008. Due to a decline in variety meat exports, however, total beef exports are up only 1 percent in volume, with a 3 percent decline in value.

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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.