http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma RSS Feed for USMEF en-us Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:59:37 GMT http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/USMEF-Pork-exports-to-Mexico-slip-203217231.html Through the first two months of this year, U.S. pork exports to Mexico slipped 13 percent in volume (98,237 metric tons) and 12 percent in value ($183.4 million) from the record pace of 2012. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/USMEF-US-2012-pork-exports-to-eclipse-6-billion-186959851.html U.S. pork exports to Japan have rebounded nicely and could exceed $2 billion for the first time in a single year, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). The performance of U.S. pork exports also has been very strong in Mexico, Central America and South America. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/Obama-signs-trade-human-rights-bill-that-angers-Moscow-183641461.html The trade bill with Russia, which also bars Russian human rights violators from entering the United States, further jeopardizes U.S. pork and beef exports to the country. Russia recently banned imports of U.S. pork and beef containing ractopamine, which the United Nation's food agency in July said "had no impact on human health" if residues stay within recommended levels. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/USMEF-supports-efforts-to-lift-Russian-trade-restrictions-182982511.html While U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) does not comment on ongoing government-to-government discussions, the group supports calls by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for Russia to suspend these new measures and restore market access for U.S. beef and pork products. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/NPB-increases-promotional-funds-for-2013-179503931.html As pork producers struggle with record-high feed prices caused by the worst U.S. drought since the 1950s, the National Pork Board (NPB) has approved domestic and international marketing budgets for Fiscal Year 2013, to help drive pork demand at a critical time. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/USMEF-looks-for-steady-exports-in-2013-178170191.html While global economic uncertainty can change predictions at any moment, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) looks for 2013 to be fairly steady in terms of pork and beef exports. The export trade group wrapped up its strategic planning meeting in Indianapolis. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/USMEF-revs-up-US-pork-promotions-in-Japan-176971661.html The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is targeting growth opportunities for branded and thick-cut products in two new initiatives designed to increase sales of American pork. Japan is the top value market for U.S. pork. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/Taiwan-restrictions-continue-to-hamper-US-pork-exports-174439551.html Recently, Taiwan adopted a maximum residue level (MRL) for ractopamine residues in imported as well as domestic beef, however left intact the nation’s ban on pork from hogs that receive ractopamine. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/MEF-spotlights-5-points-for-US-pork-export-prospects--153784485.html U.S. pork sold to foreign customers in 2011 topped $6 billion for the first time. That will be a tough record to break, especially with global economic uncertainties and world pork production pegged to surpass last year’s level by 2.7 percent. http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/association/nma/Solid-but-flat-pork-exports-projected-for-2012--153723165.html U.S. pork exports will have a challenge to exceed the tremendous gains made last year, but it is expected that they will hold their ground. “We are encouraged by the first few months of the year,” Phillip Seng, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (MEF), told Pork Network. While he anticipates the final trend line may be flat, “it would still be our second best year on record.”