When the United Kingdom departed from the European Union in 2020, U.S. beef no longer had duty-free access to the UK. This increased costs for British importers and the entire U.S. beef supply chain, making the UK market more difficult to serve.
Now, duty-free shipments of U.S. beef are now being sent to the United Kingdom for the first time in more than five years, following implementation of a new trade framework. The UK has created a 13,000 metric ton duty-free quota for U.S. beef, with the first products arriving last month. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said this is an opportunity to add more value and volume for U.S. beef producers.
Halstrom said two events in London this week – a Wednesday reception and dinner at the U.S. Embassy and a Thursday trade dinner at the Smith and Wollensky steakhouse – will showcase the unique attributes of U.S. beef to importers, distributors, and other key contacts in the British foodservice and retail sectors.
With support from the USDA, the Beef Checkoff Program, and state beef councils from Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas, Halstrom said these events will mark a new beginning for U.S. beef across the pond.
For more information, visit usmef.org.
