Sumer Trip To Guatemala Looks To Benefit U.S., Oregon Beef

This summer, Will Wise, CEO of the Oregon Beef Council, participated in USMEF’s Latin American Product Showcase in Guatemala City.  Wise noted Latin America is a solid emerging market, where American beef is well received.

"We talk about filling in under the demand curve," Wise said.  "So, there's high-end stuff, like you see a lot of prime beef going to Japan, and now there's an interest in choice and prime, partly because of CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, allows higher level cuts of beef; Choice, Choice-Plus, Prime, to go in duty-free.  because of the Central American Free Trade Agreement from, I think that was done in 2006. But so the high-end beef is growing. Has it been the main thing we've been selling in Latin America? It is not, but it's growing.”

How Could Increasing Trade To Latin American Benefit Local Ranchers?

Wise says much of the Latin America market will be served by midwestern states that ship via the Port of Miami.  But he noted while Oregon producers may not transport additional beef to Latin America because of improved relationships, that does not mean local ranchers won’t benefit.

“The rising tide lifts all boats," he said.  "So, if we can ship exports, we're getting north of 15% of U.S. production being exported. If we can move that up just a few percent, say to 20%, out of Texas, Kansas, some of those Midwest big beef states, Oklahoma, to the Latin American market, that's going to help our domestic prices. And you're seeing that right now. The export market is a big reason why U.S. beef prices are at record highs.”

Learn more about Wise’s trip to Guatemala, and the ongoing efforts to improve trade opportunity for the livestock sector by listening to the podcast of our conversation with Wise:

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