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Targeting new markets for US beef

The chairman of Federation of State Beef Councils says the industry is targeting new markets for US beef.

Nebraska cattleman Steve Hanson says the beef checkoff is working to increase access for US beef on the global market. 

And considering the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership – one of those targeted areas is Asia.  “We dedicated about $640,000 to some projects in Japan and Korea,” he says.  “For instance, in the Korean project, we have now become the number one exporter into Korea with US beef.”

He tells Brownfield as they gain access to new markets – they don’t intend to give it back.  “Starting February 1, Costco will completely replace Australian beef with US beef in all of their stores in Korea,” he says.   “It’s a huge win for the US beef producer.”

Hanson says the industry has set big goals for increasing global demand of US beef products.  “The long-range plan is to increase exports 16 percent in five-years,” he says.  “That’s an average of a little more than 3 percent a year.  So far we’re achieving that – but it’s a big hill to climb.”

AUDIO: Steve Hanson, Chairman, Federation State Beef Councils