UK red meat takes centre stage in the USA

Dr Phil Hadley, International Trade Development Director, will this weekend head out to the USA to speak at the Meat Import Council of America (MICA) Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, and promote UK beef, lamb and pork to an audience of key industry buyers.

The conference, which runs from 6–8 November, will provide the perfect platform for Dr Hadley to highlight the quality and traceability of UK red meat to help develop further export opportunities for UK businesses.

The USA is a net importer of lamb and a large consumer of beef. While domestic beef production is expected to increase, opportunities exist for imports of products that are differentiated from USA production and for manufacturing beef.

While the USA is a big pork exporter, its volume of imports is significant and expected to rise, presenting opportunities for premium pork products from the UK.

Dr Hadley said:

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to speak at the MICA Conference and to showcase our sustainable, high production standards throughout the supply chain to US buyers in a burgeoning market.

"Events like this are pivotal in helping us develop relationships with importers in key markets to help our levy payers capitalise on opportunities in global markets.”

His slot at the conference, where he will join a panel of international industry representatives, follows the launch earlier this year of our new export strategy Beyond Borders, aimed at supporting its ambition to help increase market access and exports sales. In 2022 the total value of UK red meat exports to the US was worth £36.2m.

He added:

“One of AHDB’s key strategic objectives is export development, working collaboratively with industry and government, to cultivate further opportunities for our red meat and dairy sectors. This conference is another illustration of how AHDB promotes levy payers’ high-quality produce in new markets.”