Demand For U.S. Beef Continues Upward Progress In Japan
US - Interest in and demand for U.S. beef continues to increase in Japan, with both consumers and marketers recognizing the safety – and remembering the quality – of the product, officials of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said today.
20 September 2006
2 minute read
“Our experiences with beef buyers and consumers have been extremely positive,” said John Bellinger, USMEF chairman, who is in Japan to participate in the successful reintroduction of U.S. beef there. “They’re realizing U.S. beef provides safe, wholesome and delicious meals.”
USMEF is doing its part to increase acceptance of U.S. beef in Japan through its “We Care” campaign. “We Care” is a multi-faced effort that combines a strategy to convince retailers and foodservice buyers that the product is safe and consumer demand is there, with a strategy to create positive attitudes among consumers about beef and encourage purchases.
Bellinger and USMEF President and CEO Phil Seng stressed the commitment and dedication of the U.S. industry to the Japanese market at a conference Wednesday (Sept. 20) in Tokyo, attended by more than 60 media including all the major Japanese TV and newspapers. These efforts result in more factual and balanced reports to consumers regarding the current market situation.
“The U.S. meat industry is strongly committed to the Japanese market,” Seng said. “We understand Japanese consumers have sophisticated tastes and we look forward once again to providing U.S. beef products that satisfy those desires.”
Afterward, USMEF unveiled its American Beef traveling van for use at USMEF activities throughout Japan. USMEF can easily conduct tasting promotions outside retail stores and at barbecue events, encouraging families to taste and enjoy U.S. beef. U.S. beef panini sandwiches and U.S. beef curry lunch boxes were supplied to the media.
To help stimulate interest among meat marketers, USMEF participated in the Meat Industry Show Sept. 13-15 in Osaka. The event is the only Japanese trade show specializing in the meat industry, and attracted about 30,000 foodservice and retail professionals, as well as distributors.
Samples of U.S. beef were provided to about 1,200 people, many of whom said they had missed U.S. beef and looked forward to being able to serve it again. Many foodservice and retail operators made business inquiries at the show, which also generated significant media interest.
Bellinger said the excitement of having U.S. beef back in Japan was evident Sept. 18 when the fast-food chain Yoshinoya D&D Co. resumed serving its popular gyudon (beef bowl), using U.S. beef for the first time in more than 2 1/2 years. Approximately 1 million servings of gyudon, prepared at 1,000 outlets, were served Monday to Japanese consumers – some of whom had camped out overnight to make sure they got a serving.
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