Minnesota Corn Growers Association
(USA Poultry & Egg Export Council markets poultry products worldwide, including a recent turkey promotion event in Taiwan)
Through their investment in the Minnesota corn check-off, corn farmers support the work of the USA Poultry & Egg Council (USAPEEC). The Georgia-based organization takes a multi-faceted approach to introduce poultry to the world and encourage its growth as a source of protein.
Increased demand for poultry abroad means more chicken, turkeys and ducks to feed stateside, increasing demand for our corn supply.
USAPEEC’s mission is to open and develop markets abroad while serving as the voice for poultry exports and policy issues. The former often boils down to introducing poultry in markets where it is not currently used as a main protein. This work is often centered on developing markets where there is a demand for increased protein, according to Shelby Watson, manager of allied industry relations for USAPEEC.
Take India, for example. The country has a protein deficiency issue and a growing demand for more protein. USAPEEC has launched a variety of activities that share why poultry can serve as an affordable protein that can easily be introduced into the everyday diet. USAPEEC accomplished this by branching into a variety of sectors within the market.
A major focus is working with the locals who are responsible for providing the food to citizens. The food service industry is a major focus for USAPEEC, working with professional chefs to promote poultry dishes and culinary schools to introduce poultry-specific curriculum to future chefs. Watson said they also reach out directly to consumers with virtual master classes and cooking demonstrations introducing poultry dishes.
“In a country like India where they don’t historically eat a lot of meat, we have to go to the people who we want to eat it with our marketing,” Watson said. “Food service won’t carry poultry products if the consumers won’t buy it.”
In countries where poultry is already a more established ingredient, USAPEEC will work directly with trade officials to promote America’s poultry industry as the right partner. These often include reverse trade missions where delegations travel to the United States to see the facilities and discuss the many health and safety measure taken by American livestock producers.
Another important aspect of USAPEEC is advocating for trade policy that protects American exports. For example, USAPEEC will work with country officials that lead to more specific bans on avian influenza outbreaks. In the case of an outbreak, this outreach will help make bans more geographically specific, as opposed to a blanket ban for the entire country.
Learn more about the work of USAPEEC at www.usapeec.org.