WASHINGTON – The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently sent a delegation to Tokyo, Japan to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the inaugural USMEF office that opened in the city in 1977.

The association said Japan has consistently been a leading international market for US red meat. The country purchased $4.1 billion in 2021. Through July 2022 Japan invested $2.4 billion in US red meat exports. There were also $1.7 billion in pork sales in 2021.

“It’s really been a pleasure to have a cross-section of high-level producers as part of the team and helping us tell that great story about production agriculture for US beef, pork, and also grains,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF.

During the week in Tokyo, 200 importers, distributors, trade media, US exporters, and industry representatives attended a celebration to express appreciation for the business relationships developed over the past 45 years, while forging future commitments to the Japanese market.

US Industry representatives participating were: USMEF Chair Mark Swanson of Fort Collins, Colo., founder of Tru Grit KGMS Enterprises LLC; Dean Meyer, USMEF chair-elect and livestock and grain producer from Rock Rapids, Iowa; Norman Voyles, Cattlemen’s Beef Board chair and beef producer from Martinsville, Ind.; Dan Gattis, Texas Beef Council chair and rancher and attorney from Georgetown, Texas; Molly McAdams, executive vice president of the Texas Beef Council; and Craig Floss, CEO of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.