March 9, 2015

 

Idaho firm is first to sell US pork, beef to Myanmar

 

 

An Idaho-based meat firm became the first US producer to sell beef and pork products in Myanmar.

 

Agri Beef Co. said it had airfreighted more than 500 pounds of beef and pork-a combination of rib-eye, strip loin, tenderloin, beef cheek meat, pork loin and bacon-as its initial shipment.

 

It added that Myanmar is the 30th country where it exports its known brands: Snake River Farms American Wagyu (American-style Kobe) beef, Kurobuta (Berkshire) pork, Double R Ranch Northwest beef and St. Helens Beef.

 

Agri Beef said the opportunity to export to Myanmar presented itself at a trade show in Singapore in April last year, when a distributor aspiring to be the first Myanmar-based company to import premium US beef and pork approached Agri Beef representatives.

 

The developing nation's growing middle class and purchasing power are driving increased demand for higher-quality meat products. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the middle-class purchasing power in Asia is projected to increase by US$25 trillion in 2030.

 

"With our established presence in Southeast Asia, we continue to see consumer demand for quality beef and pork products increase throughout that region," said Jay Theiler, Agri Beef's executive director of marketing. "We're not only excited to be growing our global business, but honored by the opportunity to provide premium products from here in the Northwest to the people of Myanmar. We hope it is the beginning of a long and successful relationship."

 

Located at Boise, Idaho, Agri Beef's proximity to Pacific shipping ports in neighboring Washington has enabled it to continually expand its reach in Asia, including the potential for larger ocean shipments to Myanmar in the future.

 

Agri Beef's growing export business now serves the major economies of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and developing markets like Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

 

Last October Agri Beef won the highly coveted Idaho Global Pacesetter Award for its growth in international trade and exports. The award was presented by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.

 

"The expansion into Myanmar is just a continuation of the company's mission to bring the highest quality meat products to consumers around the globe", Theiler said.

 

Agri Beef was founded 47 years ago as a family-owned ranching and cattle feeding operation. It has since grown to incorporate every step of beef production, from ranching, cattle feeding and animal nutrition to beef processing, marketing and sales.