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 Karey Claghorn, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Will Frazee, cattle producer from Emerson, learn about cattle ID numbers on beef packages from a meat merchandiser at Daiei Supermarket in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo submitted.) Iowa beef producers on trade mission to AsiaIowa Bone-in beef is back. That was the message of a reception for importers foodservice leaders and media in Manila, Philippines, sponsored by Iowa's beef producers through the beef checkoff, in cooperation with USDA and the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Attendees enjoyed bone-in U.S. prime rib and bone-in short ribs for a dinner that celebrated the opening of the Philippines market for bone-in beef from the United States. "U.S. prime rib was a high quality food icon in the Philippines prior to the late-2003 U.S. beef ban," says Will Frazee, beef producer from Emerson and chair of the Iowa Beef Industry Council. "New up-scale steakhouses and Korean barbecue houses are opening and offer a market for U.S. beef cuts." Frazee was part of an Iowa Meat Trade Mission to the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan in February. "The message from Japan is the need for greater supply of U.S. beef under 21 months of age. The Japanese consumer is buying the product that is available, but there are shortages of supply," Frazee said. "Importers continue to stress the need for some kind of age-verification of our beef so that they can explain the 'beef story' to Japanese consumers and buyers and assure safety. Food safety is a continuing issue for the Japanese consumer since 60 percent of their food supply is imported. "All three countries we visited are island countries not self-sufficient in food production," adds Frazee. "Besides concern for the cost of beef, the importers questioned us about the price of corn which they import to feed their livestock." The Iowa Meat Trade Mission also visited importers, processors, and retailers in Taiwan, another important market for U.S. beef. "We were really impressed with the display of USDA Prime and Choice beef sold at Costco where the meat case was at least 50 feet long. Taiwan accepts U.S. beef under 30 months of age, so there is a more ample supply," adds Frazee. Also representing Iowa in addition to Frazee were Karey Claghorn, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, who represents the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on the IBIC board, and Nancy Degner, Executive Director of the IBIC. The trade mission to Asia was organized and led by the Iowa Department of Iowa Economic Development, International Division in cooperation with the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Other representatives were from Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa State University. Partial funding for the mission was provided by the beef checkoff. 3/31/08 Date: 3/26/08 Advertisement
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