Pork Checkoff Investments Help Strengthen Market Development in Japan

The National Pork Board (NPB) continues to invest in market development through its partnership with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to strengthen global export demand.

Minnesota pig farmer and USMEF board member Gordon Spronk says Japan’s long-term relationship with NPB has helped establish the country as a reliable customer. Japan is the second largest export destination for the U.S. pork industry.

“They like our U.S. quality,” he says. “There are challenges with competition and there are challenges with the exchange rate, but we remain focused on the consumer and the customer.”

Andy Tauer, NPB’s Vice President of International Market Development, says checkoff investments are helping support consumer demand.

“We’re leaning into some food service opportunities and some convenience opportunities,” he says. “We’re trying to make sure pork continues to show up well. These international markets do such a great job to balance and bring value to the entire pork carcass.”

Both Spronk and Tauer say maintaining and continuing to build strong export demand will be critical to expanding new markets for U.S. pork.

EDITOR’S TAKE:

Expanding demand, be it for pork or any other ag commodity, is a very good investment in terms of time and money. The efforts of both the NPB and USMEF are to be commended. Japan is already a great customer but can always do better. These two organizations will continue to focus on the U.S. as a high quality, reliable supplier. Our pork producers are the best in the world and will continue identifying ways to improve their quality and production.

Make sure you target pork producers with social media and direct mail ads. It will also pay to programmatically target them with your AgTruckTrader.com® inventory listing. Keep them at the top of your prospect list as well.