October 12, 2005

US meat processors target European market
 

Three leading US meat processors were set to target the European market, after they had processing plants approved for export of meat products to the EU.

Farmland Foods, Missouri, and Smithfield Foods, Virginia, each had a pork processing plant approved for the exports. Tyson Foods, Arkansas, received approval for one of its former IBP beef plants to export non-hormone treated beef to the EU.

Smithfield Foods said the approval would allow the company to export to its plants in Poland and Romania. This was expected to lend support to the company's product prices on the domestic market, and provide supplies while gaining profits from its European interests.

Meanwhile, Swift and Co., Colorado, said it expected to see its beef plant in Omaha, Nebraska, approved for export soon.