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Africa could boom with beef, pork demand

The US Meat Export Federation continues its efforts to diversify and expand beef export markets in Africa.

President and CEO Dan Halstrom tells Brownfield the biggest hurdle is developing a reliable supply chain. “Once you get our grain-fed beef or our corn-fed pork into their mouths and they understand the eating experience, it’s an entirely different in what they’re used to in terms of a luxury item.”

He says USMEF and several packers have recently opened offices on the continent, which will help build relationships with consumers.

And, Halstrom says, that could lead to untapped potential for US producers. “It could be a multi-billion-dollar market someday, and I don’t think it’s going to take 40 years to do it either.”

Halstrom says he expects export numbers to significantly increase over the next 5-10 years for several continents.