USMEF: Opportunities Continue Arise In South Africa

It’s been two years since the U.S. beef industry regained access to the South African markets.  And the U.S. Meat Export Federation says it’s been two years of solid growth.  USMEF’s Cheyenne McEndaffer says South Africans love meat, they love meat on the bone, and they love quality.  She notes while South Africa is a big beef producing country, but they slaughter their cows young, which opens up opportunities for American producers.

“They don’t have the marbling that U.S. beef does, so we see opportunities for middle meats and high end steak houses, we do have a major presence in the city centers right now with U.S. middle meats, but we’re also looking for opportunities for things like short ribs.”

McEndaffer said she also sees opportunities in the beef trimmings sector.  Since 2016 South Africa has become the second largest market for export of beef livers, behind Egypt.

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