Agricultural News
Phil Seng of USMEF Remains Upbeat About Beef and Pork Exports to Japan
Tue, 22 Mar 2011 6:19:18 CDT
In the immediate aftermath of Japan's earthquake/tsunami disaster, many observers speculated that U.S. meat exports to Japan would decline significantly. But as U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Philip Seng explains, the vast majority of Japan's population has not been displaced, and their long-term demand for U.S. beef and pork should not be adversely affected. He goes on to explain that the region impacted by the tsunami represents a fairly significant portion of Japan's domestic livestock production, which could result in an increased need for imported meat.
On today's Beef Buzz, we talk about these conditions with Seng, with the unique perspective that he has from his years in serving in Japan as the country director for the USMEF in the 1980s.
With these factors in mind, USMEF is maintaining its original 2011 beef and pork export forecasts to Japan. The beef export forecast calls for 153,000 metric tons valued at $790 million - an increase of 23 percent over last year. On the pork side, the forecast remains at 447,000 metric tons valued at $1.7 billion - a 3 percent increase over 2010.
Seng also discusses a disaster relief effort that USMEF is coordinating on behalf of the U.S. meat industry. All donations will be directed to charities that will help displaced Japanese families in need. Click here for the USMEF website where you can get more details.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the state on the Radio Oklahoma Network- but is also a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the listen bar below for today's show- and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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