AHDB to host mission to the USA to grow red meat exports

Six exporters from across the UK will attend the Annual Meat Conference in Texas in March, to showcase the high quality and sustainability of red meat products from the UK.

The exhibition, which takes place in Dallas from March 6–8, will provide UK exporters with the opportunity to network with more than 1,500 meat professionals from across the States.

We will share a stand with Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), and will join more than 100 exhibitors in the meat hall, providing visitors with the chance to sample beef, pork and lamb, as well as watch a butchery demonstration by AHDB’s master butcher Martin Eccles.

The conference forms part of a week-long mission, which will also include visits to local retailers in Dallas and visits to a beef ranch and a sheep farm, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the market and explore what opportunities exist for exporters.

The USA is a key target market for our export team, with demand for UK meat increasing over the past year. According to the latest data for HMRC, between January and November, pork exports increased 11% from 6,645 tonnes to 7,409 tonnes – worth £26 million.

Beef exports were worth £7.9 million with 1,189 tonnes shipped in the first 11 months of 2022. However, shipments were down on the previous year, due to the beef import quota filling quickly as other exporting nations also targeted the market.

Also, in October the first shipment of lamb from the UK arrived in the US after more than two decades. The first consignment was served at a gathering of US industry leaders at the Meat Importers Council of America (MICA) annual conference.

Senior Export Manager for the Americas, Susana Morris, said:

“This is a hugely important mission, as the US presents a lot of opportunities for our red meat exports with the market now open to all three meats.

“The conference will provide us and our exporters with an opportunity to learn and ask questions about the meat, food service and retail sectors in the US as well as networking with critical industry stakeholders and discovering how to leverage consumer demands.”

The visit will provide exporters with valuable information about the wider American meat sector, as well as industry trends, which cuts are in demand and how meat prices are affecting consumer buying behaviours.

During the week-long mission, key meat buyers from US supermarkets, wholesalers, distributors and representatives of US meat organisations will be invited to a reception, organised and hosted by the Department for International Trade.