USMEF Uses FOODEX To Roll Out New Products, Techniques For Japanese Market

The U.S. Meat Export Federation said the 2019 FOODEX Trade Show, which recently wrapped up in Tokyo, was a good opportunity for American beef.  USMEF’s Greg Hanes said they used the four day show not only to connect with potential clients and other countries, but showcase the flexibility of U.S. red meat to thousands of trade show visitors.

“We did this with support from the Idaho Beef Council, but we’re introducing Idaho finger steaks which are basically thin slices of beef that are battered, breaded and then fried, kind of like a Chicken Fried Steak, but again these are kind of bite sized morsels.”

Hanes added they’ve been working with chefs stateside to come up with recipes that are pleasing to the Japanese pallet.  He also noted an increase in competition at FOODEX as more and more countries recognize the demand for red meat in Japan.

“One of the biggest challenges we’re facing in Japan is the fact that the U.S. isn’t in a lot of these free trade agreements that our competitors are.  A big example of that was Canada, they now had a booth there at FOODEX proboloby the first time in about ten years.  You also saw new competitors that are trying to gain better access there as well.”

Uruguay for example was very active at this year’s show.  FOODEX 2019 ran from March 5^th-8^th.

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