Kansas Corn Supports Marketing Initiatives to Sell Pork to Global Consumers
Strategy to Increase Japanese Pork Sales Implemented by USMEF
A new overseas marketing effort is adding value to American pork.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation is implementing a strategy in Japan to promote branded and thick-cut pork products. The Kansas Corn Commission has been a long-standing supporter of USMEF initiatives, and believes this effort can increase sales of American pork as a high-end niche market to the Japanese consumer.
In the first eight months of 2012, Japan purchased 307,442 metric tons (677.8 million pounds) of U.S. pork valued at more than $1.3 billion, an increase of six-percent in value on six-percent lower volumes compared to 2011. Kansas is the number ten state in hog and pig inventory and produces about 2.7-percent of the nation's total swine.
"These activities increase awareness of the quality and value of pork products to consumers in Japan," said Kansas Corn Commissioner Pat Ross, Lawrence. Ross raises grain and livestock on his family farm. "The work that USMEF does to build export markets for pork and beef are important to me as a corn producer and as a livestock producer."
A recent consumer survey showed more than 80-percent of Japanese consumers eat pork more than once each week and 90-percent are familiar with branded pork products in Japan. The survey also showed that only about 30-percent of consumers purchase branded pork regularly, with a third of that group only buying the product for special occasions due to the higher price it commands.
To introduce consumers to cooking techniques that work for larger pork cuts, USMEF-Japan hired popular cooking instructor Rika Yukimasa to develop U.S. pork recipes - including some for microwave cooking - that will be introduced during a two-month promotion that runs through the end of 2012.
For the current promotion, Yukimasa demonstrated "easy cooking roast pork" recipes for a group of 160 food bloggers and homemakers to help develop word-of-mouth awareness. The recipes will be featured in this week's issue of ESSE magazine in addition to retail point-of-purchase recipes and labeling.
Funding for the thick-cut pork initiatives is provided through the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) and the Pork Checkoff, a national program supported by producers when pigs are sold and when products are brought into the United States.
The Kansas Corn Commission has been a supporter of USMEF since the late 1970s. Specifically, the state's corn checkoff program funds USMEF activities and information because of its partnership with the cattle and pork feeding industry. There are currently 1,500 hog farms in Kansas. Of these, 310 farms produce 95-percent of the state's pork. Kansas produces more than 500 million pounds of pork each year, which helps feed millions of people in the U.S. and abroad through exports.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Local radio group welcomes new GM
Pyle: Kelly to hold ceremonial signings in Brown and Jackson counties
Report of suspicious vehicle leads to meth arrest
Woman arrested in Holton after suspicious activity report
Commission discusses KDOT letter on street lights
Local area flood warnings extended
Injury avoided in Atchison truck rollover
AT&T: Atchison internet outage due to contractor accident
Hiawatha fireworks ban to remain in place
Falls City woman arrested on felony drug charge
KDHE: Residents, pets, told to avoid flooding MO River waters
Bench trial held for man charged in fatal 2022 Jeff Co crash
Flood not expected to reach same levels as 2019
Local firefighters gain from KS insurance funding
Monday rain blamed for Jackson Co semi crash
Missing A-Town teen found safe
Man injured in Leavenworth Co crash
LATEST STORIES
Governor Kelly ceremonially signs tax relief bill in local stops
Missing A-Town teen found safe
Fentanyl near school earns plea from LV man
A safe, sober 4th wanted by officials
Improvements planned at Doniphan County Courthouse
Brown Co Sheriff's Office stats
Report of suspicious vehicle leads to meth arrest
Cooper Nuclear Station celebrates 50 years of generating power