BOISE, Idaho (RFD News) — U.S. beef exports have officially returned to the United Kingdom after a six-year hiatus, marking a major development for the industry’s global trade efforts.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) played a key role in securing the duty-free trade agreement and recently traveled to London to help strengthen relationships with retailers and buyers. USMEF Chairman Jay Theiler says interest in U.S. beef is already growing, especially as more consumers look for convenient meal options at home.
“We had a great conversation with a lot of potential partners, like Costco, and we had our policymakers from the embassy there,” Theiler says. “So it was just a wonderful way to kick off the new partnership. Trade builds trust, and you need good partnerships, and you need to have that trust, and you have to meet face to face for that to happen. The retail tour in London was fascinating. We were able to visit some mainstream retailers. We visited Costco. We visited some more of the specialty retailers, like Marks & Spencer. All the stores have some type of home meal replacement. They’re really going after the food service and trying to compete with food service.”
Senior Buyer Leona McManamon of Costco London says the company has already started introducing customers to U.S. beef through product demonstrations and tastings.
“It’s been difficult before now because price points to get it into the UK has been a struggle,” McManamon explains. “Now we’ve obviously got a free trade agreement it brought in. We had an opportunity in Costco to bring in different goods of meat on a container to give it a little trial, see how it goes with a price point and it’s done well. We did a demo in the location so members could try it out, and they could taste the product. And yeah, it’s got some good feedback, and we’re used to grass-fed beef. America is going to be fed, but we’ve got so many U.S. members that shop with us, so we will have the people that will come in and buy it. But for people that are not used to grain-fed beef, it will take some time. Of course, it will take some time, but the good thing about Costco is we offer demos, we offer opportunities to taste the product before you buy it. So I think it will work.”
The first shipments of U.S. beef arrived in March, and the federation recently hosted a reception at the U.S. Embassy in London to celebrate the renewed trade partnership. Meanwhile, global trade discussions continue to raise questions for beef producers elsewhere.
Canada’s beef industry is voicing concerns over possible trade negotiations with Mercosur, the South American trade bloc that includes major beef exporters such as Brazil and Argentina. The Canadian Cattle Association warns that lower-cost imports could create additional pressure for producers if access expands.
At the same time, Brazil’s beef industry could soon face challenges of its own.
Industry leaders there are warning that exports could decline by as much as 10 percent next year after China announced new duties on beef imports that exceed quota levels. Producers say shipments to China, Brazil’s largest trading partner, could begin slowing as early as next month.
Chinese officials say the tariff measures are intended to protect the country’s domestic cattle industry.
