British beef exporters exhibited at the Americas Food and Beverage Show following the agreement of the Economic Prosperity Deal with the US earlier this year.
The deal will enable the UK to ship 13,000 tonnes of beef tariff-free to the US, and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has supported UK beef exporters showcasing their products at the Americas Food and Beverage Show in Miami.
AHDB’s stand at the show, featuring three co-exhibitors, offered a platform for exporters to meet with buyers. Throughout the event, AHDB food communications manager Denise Spencer-Walker served British beef, lamb and pork to stand visitors.
Susana Morris, AHDB senior trade development manager, said: “It’s important to be taking part in this event for several reasons. While we’ve been promoting beef, lamb and pork, the timing is ideal for promoting British beef in particular in the US with the announcement of the Economic Prosperity Deal.
“That includes the ability for us to export 13,000 tonnes of product to the US tariff-free. The Americas Food and Beverage Show therefore provides us with the perfect platform for our exporters to showcase their products to buyers looking to place orders.
“The show holds strategic geographic importance in Miami, serving as a key hub for buyers not only from the US, but also from Latin America and the Caribbean. In this respect it can play a pivotal role, acting as a springboard to fuel exports of beef, lamb and pig meat in this wider region.”
UK Agriculture Attaché to the US, Will Surman, visited the stand during the show and attended AHDB’s reception, which was organised to coincide with the event.
Morris added: “We were delighted to be joined by the UK Agriculture Attaché to the US at both the show and our reception. He provided valuable insight into the latest commercial developments in the US and his support for our ambitions for British red meat exports in the region is very much appreciated.”
Will Surman said: “The US remains one of the UK’s most exciting markets for red meat. It is a net importer of lamb and the world’s largest consumer of beef. While the US is a big pork exporter, its volume of imports is significant and expected to rise, presenting opportunities for premium pork products from the UK.
“In the UK-US trade deal announced in May, the UK secured a 13,000 mt quota for beef going into the US. The quota offers our exporters significant preferential tariff access to this high-value market, and importantly it isn’t shared with other countries.
“Taking part in international trade shows like the American food and beverage event is a crucial way of capitalising on improved market access wins, like beef into the US. This show provides an ideal platform to highlight what we have to offer but also enables our export businesses to connect with existing customers and find new ones to develop further opportunities for our red meat sector. I’m thrilled to be working with AHDB and industry to maximise the value of these events.”
