US Beef Market Update: Identifying New Opportunities in Africa

Already a significant buyer of U.S. beef variety meats, Africa’s demographics point to long-term export opportunities in the region. Africa holds the highest rate of population growth of any continent and between now and 2050, more than half of global population growth will occur there. “There is tremendous upside for high-quality, grain-fed U.S. beef in this market,” says Matt Copeland, USMEF’s regional representative, “as most beef consumed in Africa is low-quality, grass-fed product. “There is also strong demand now for inexpensive protein in the region. In addition to beef variety meats, we also see immediate potential for low-cost protein such as ungraded, no roll beef from the U.S. Demand for these inexpensive items provides an opportunity for us to introduce U.S. red meat, U.S. suppliers and U.S. agriculture to the region.” Through the first 11 months of 2020, total U.S. beef exports to Africa increased 25% to $22.1 million and total U.S. pork exports increased 53% to $1.4 ...