DENVER — Despite tight US beef supply and production being down, the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) sees an opportunity for underutilized cuts and variety meats in international markets.

“The performance on beef was, I think, a pretty good sign because we all know production’s down and will remain down for the foreseeable future” said Dan Halstrom, chief executive officer of USMEF. “But this is really an opportunity for the industry, and for USMEF in particular, to work on maximizing the value of that carcass and really focusing in on some of the sub primals that might be underperforming.”

With support from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Beef Checkoff Program, USMEF is aggressively promoting cuts from the round primal and shoulder clod.

USMEF has seen success with underutilized cuts in places like Taiwan, Korea, Mexico and Central America. Variety meats also continue to contribute to growth, specifically in Mexico, the Middle East, Korea, South America and the Caribbean.

“I think this is the silver lining,” Halstrom said. “With production down significantly last year and again this year, it gives us an opportunity to really focus in and maximize the value of that carcass outside of the normal mix that a lot of these countries may buy.”