U.S. beef exports are on a record pace in 2021, reaching $5.58 billion through July. South Korea is this year’s leading value market at $1.29 billion, up nearly 30% from a year ago and likely to top $2 billion for the first time in a single year.
In remarks to beef industry leaders at the recent Cattle Industry Annual Convention, U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom highlighted U.S. beef’s success in Korea’s rapidly growing e-commerce sector. He notes that Korean consumers were already purchasing high-quality U.S. beef online prior to COVID-19, but the pandemic has accelerated sales through existing e-commerce platforms and many new vendors are featuring U.S. beef.
Halstrom added that through support from the Beef Checkoff Program, Korean consumers are better educated about the safety of U.S. beef. Consumer confidence was very low when the Korea market reopened following BSE, but a recent survey showed that more than 65% of respondents are now confident in the safety of U.S. beef.
A detailed summary of the latest red meat exports results is available from the USMEF website.
Comments