September 5, 2008
US cattle farmers aim to capture the top 1 percent of EU's beef market, consisting of more than 59,000 tonnes per year, which would make the EU one of the top markets for US beef.
By year-end, the US Meat Export Federation will have facilitated promotional activities in France, Italy, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Belgium, and the UK.
Russia is the seventh largest US beef market, importing about 11,194 tonnes in the first half of 2008. Russian demand for beef liver is estimated to have boosted US cattle prices by about US$7 per head. However, Russia may cut US beef imports due to political disputes.
US beef exports next year is estimated to reach 625,000 tonnes, valued at US$2.7 billion.