US cattlemen: TPP vital to reach world’s middle class

By Oscar Rousseau

- Last updated on GMT

Japan is the biggest importer of US beef
Japan is the biggest importer of US beef

Related tags International trade Beef Lamb Pork Poultry

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has said the swift implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal is crucial to help American beef reach the world’s growing middle class. 

NCBA policy division chair and California cattle rancher Kevin Kester spoke on behalf of the US International Trade Commission on Thursday 14 January to stress the benefits of the TPP​ free trade agreement.

TPP Members

  • Australia 
  • Brunei  
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Japan
  • Malaysia 
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Peru
  • US
  • Singapore
  • Vietnam

And after it was announced the 12 members of the TPP deal hoped to sign a document in February​ to verify the wording of the historic trade deal, focus has now shifted onto how states can capitalise on the deal.

Beef is an industry that can make significant inroads once the TPP deal has been finalised.

In 2014, the US exported $7.13bn worth of beef, according to data from the US Meat Export Federation, but demand for American beef keeps rising.

Level playing field 

We have a very mature market in the US, but 96% of the world’s population lives outside US borders,​” said Kevin Kester.

With a growing middle class overseas demanding a higher-quality diet, we need strong trade agreements like TPP in place to level the playing field and allow us access to those consumers who are asking for our product.​”

The global middle class is expected to hit 3.2bn in 2020 and climb to 4.9bn by 2030, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

A rich market

Japan, with an economy that grew by 1% in the third quarter of 2015 and a burgeoning middle class, represents a rich market for US beef exporters. In 2014, the US exported approximately $1.6bn-worth of beef into Japan, but was hit with a hefty tariff of 38.5%. Once the TPP pact is implemented, tariffs on beef exports will be gradually reduced over a period of 15 years.

This agreement grants the greatest market access for US beef ever negotiated into Japan. Since Australia implemented its own bilateral trade agreement with Japan last year, the US has lost 5% of the market share, about $100m in sales, in Japan. We cannot afford to wait on TPP or we will continue to lose market share,​” added Kester. 

Related news

Related product

How Korean culture penetrated the APAC food industry?

How Korean culture penetrated the APAC food industry?

Content provided by BIOSPRINGER, natural Yeast ingredients | 17-Jan-2024 | White Paper

Korean food is on-trend in Asia. We mainly find Korean taste in noodles, sauces & dressings, pickled condiments, ready meals and savory snacks.

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars

Food & Beverage Trailblazers

F&B Trailblazers Podcast