(NAFB.com) – The U.S. Meat Export Federation finished its spring conference last week with a closing session focusing on the red meat industry’s efforts to build international demand for beef and pork cuts with limited domestic use. Jessica Spreitzer, USMEF Director of Trade Analysis, highlighted their marketing efforts showcasing the attributes of underutilized U.S. cuts. She talked about USMEF strategies to develop demand for cuts specifically from the pork loin and beef round primals, pointing to estimates that loin exports now account for about 20 percent of U.S. production, up from ten percent five years ago. On export demand for underutilized beef cuts, she noted that export markets account for 42 percent of the total U.S production of the gooseneck round, 30 percent of the chuck shoulder clod, and 18 percent of the top inside round. “The export side adds pricing competition, potential customers, and brings added value to underutilized cuts,” Spreitzer adds.