The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) hosted a two-day trade seminar in Accra, Ghana, bringing together some 30 U.S. red meat exporters with 76 buyers from 12 African nations. Importers and exporters held direct meetings and heard presentations from USMEF and USDA leaders as well as representatives of the U.S. cattle industry and successful African meat businesses. They also toured retail stores and cold storage facilities. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said Africa was targeted because of its critical role in the U.S. industry’s efforts to expand and diversify global markets.
Africa has an emerging and rapidly growing middle class which is ready to spend more money on better experiences. USMEF Africa Representative Matt Copeland said that provides an opportunity for the U.S. red meat industry to grow exports beyond variety meats to many parts of Africa.
Robert Preska of trading company Lamex Foods said the meetings with several African buyers were productive, and he’s now working to get pork and beef muscle cut samples into the market to show the importers the quality that is available.
For more information, visit usmef.org.
