Colorado’s Beef Exports Make History

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The beef industry is the largest segment of Colorado’s agricultural industry, accounting for more than half the State’s total cash receipts from livestock and crop production.

Although industry profitability has been under pressure due to high production costs and lower market prices, exports continue to be a bright spot for the beef industry, with exports of beef and beef variety meats from Colorado reaching a record high of $497 million in 2008. In fact, current levels of beef exports from Colorado have, for the first time, exceeded levels reached prior to the closure of most major markets to U.S. beef in 2003 following the discovery of BSE in the US herd.

“Exports help generate added revenues to the industry. Some cuts and products are purchased by customers in international markets at prices higher than could otherwise be received in the US,” said CDA’s markets division director, Tom Lipetzky.

According to the most recent 2008 statistics:

·Exports of beef and beef variety meats from Colorado surged 55 percent from
2007 levels to $497 million. Total US exports increased 42 percent to just
over $3 billion.
·Colorado ranks second among all states in total exports of
fresh chilled beef and third among all states in total exports of beef and beef
variety meats.
·Colorado is the number one supplier of beef and beef variety
meats to Canada and the number two supplier to Mexico and Japan.
·Colorado was the number one supplier of fresh chilled beef to Korea.

“Potential for future growth in exports remains quite positive as Korean consumers are again welcoming US beef and a full opening of Japan’s market could add significantly to exports,” continued Lipetzky. “More and more, it’s looking like its Colorado beef that is what’s for dinner for customers around the world.”

For additional information and statistics, visit www.colorado.gov/ag and click on “Colorado Beef Exports.”

Colorado has become a leader in the beef industry on the global level and that is a reflection of our beef producers. The following information has been provided by Colorado’s beef industry organizations.

Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA)

“A key ingredient for the beef industry in working our way out of these trying
economic times is to open new export markets for our product,” said CCA
President Paul Bernklau. “World food supplies will be in tight demand by 2012
and beef producers should be empowered to provide our safe, nutritious, and
readily available product to those country’s through expansion of
trade.”

Website: http://www.coloradocattle.org/
Contact
information: Amy Bader, Director of Communications, (303) 431-6422 or
email info@coloradocattle.org

Colorado Livestock Association (CLA)

“This past years increase in beef exports is directly correlated to the worlds
demand for the high quality, nutritional and wholesome beef products that are
produced in Colorado’s ranching, feeding and packing industries,” said Colorado
Livestock Association CEO, Bill Hammerich.

Website: http://www.coloradolivestock.org/
Contact information: Bill Hammerich, 822 7th Street, Suite 210, Greeley, CO
80631, bhammerich@coloradolivestock.org,
(970) 378-0500

Colorado Beef Council

“As demand for high quality beef increases throughout the world our exports
should, and will, continue to grow. Consumers outside of the United States are
looking for a safe, wholesome and nutritious product and will continue to turn
to U.S. beef,” said Colorado Beef Council Executive Director, Fred
Lombardi.

Website: http://www.cobeef.com/
Contact information:
Fred Lombardi, 789 Sherman Street, Suite 105, Denver, CO or call (303)
830-7892