Dive Brief:
- Two countries in Central Asia have agreed to expand market access to U.S. meat exporters as the industry moves to counteract slowing demand from China and other major trade partners.
- Uzbekistan agreed to allow imports from approved U.S. meat and poultry establishments as of June 1. Additionally, Kazakhstan said it will certify more U.S. meat and poultry production facilities for export.
- The announcements follow a meeting last week between U.S. trade officials and five countries in Central Asia.
Dive Insight:
Trade officials have worked to open up new opportunities for U.S. meat exporters who have seen declining sales in Asia amid increased price competition and mounting trade tensions with China.
Beef and broiler chicken exports this year have trended downward, with the world’s top buyer China making significantly less purchases. As of April, China imported 79% less U.S. broiler meat and 10% less beef compared to the prior year.
Beef sales to South Korea and other countries in East Asia, which have become an increasingly important market for exporters, also declined — though sales to Japan increased as a tourism boom fuels demand. However, stronger demand in Mexico and countries in the Middle East has helped U.S. beef exports hit their highest level in 10 months.
“These markets are benefiting from foodservice demand and currency advantages compared to the main Asian markets,” said Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Similarly, in chicken, exporters have begun to see burgeoning momentum in countries including Mexico, Qatar, Iraq, Vietnam, Peru and the Philippines, the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council said. However, the diversification of markets has not yet been enough to offset the buying power of China, as total broiler exports dropped 11.1% in the first four months of the year.