TUCSON, ARIZ. – The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) provided new insights at its annual strategic planning conference on Nov. 6, which included an analysis of the US election’s potential effect on agricultural policy and international trade.

The association also reviewed the new administration in Mexico and how the United States is preparing for a critical phase of trade relations with the largest export destination for red meat.

During the opening of the conference, Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer for USMEF, stated the pork exports are on pace to set volume and value records by the end of 2024 by surpassing 3 million tonnes (mt) and a value of $8.63 billion. The beef exports market for the United States was projected to reach 1.28 tonnes worth $10.5 billion, an increase of 5% over 2023.

One key factor in the export performance was the growth in demand for US red meat in Latin America. Halstrom highlighted the importance of keeping a piece of the market share with the ongoing competitiveness from other countries worldwide.

“Brazil is starting to get more volume into Mexico, Central America and even into Japan,” Halstrom said. “That being said, our quality ‒ beef, pork and lamb ‒ is second to none. Our products command a superior price and that’s the way that we’re approaching it when we work to develop these markets. We need to maximize opportunities in our major markets and carve out new destinations, such as Africa, for the future.”

Jim Wiesemeyer, a veteran journalist and Washington insider, provided insights to attendees on the 2024 presidential and congressional elections and their potential effects on US agriculture and trade policy.

Wiesemeyer pointed out that President-elect Donald Trump gained even more support in rural America than when he ran for the presidency two previous times. He also pointed out that Republicans made gains in their US Senate races.

With the election result, Wiesemeyer also suggested that a new Farm Bill might be completed by the end of 2024, which would be led by Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozeman (R-Ark.) during the lame-duck Congressional session.

Also in attendance, to detail the recent election of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, was Mateo Diego, a partner in the regulatory consulting firm AGON and trade expert regarding Mexico.

Diego noted some of the mutually beneficial trade policies shared by the two countries but also mentioned some possible issues, including Mexico’s restriction of imports of genetically modified corn, new USDA rules for voluntary country-of-origin labeling of beef and pork, and threats from the US side to limit imports of certain produce items.

Diego detailed some scenarios that could emerge when the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) came up for review in two years and stressed the importance of supporting the agreement.

Diego urged conference attendees to speak up and voice their support for USMCA.

Throughout the rest of the conference, USMEF noted that it would hold a panel of livestock producers to share experience meetings with buyers and consumers on international markets as well as meetings of USMEF’s sector-specific standing committees.

During the closing business session on Nov. 8, USMEF will elect its new officers.