CHICAGO — In conjunction with the recent 22nd Americas Food and Beverage Show (AFB) in Miami, the American Egg Board (AEB) highlighted the business benefits of U.S. eggs and egg products to an international audience to further support American egg producers’ export efforts.
The AFB show welcomed more than 11,000 decision-making buyers from 94 countries, offered a comprehensive seminar schedule on industry trend topics and an exhibition hall with 400 booths. U.S. egg suppliers were able to strengthen their global connections and tap new markets, officials noted.
In addition to sponsoring a booth and educational trend session at the AFB show, AEB and partner organization, the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), hosted 20 key egg buyers from the Caribbean and Mexico to provide top-notch training on U.S. eggs and to meet one-on-one with U.S. egg suppliers and producers while in Miami. These sessions gave Caribbean and Mexican buyers first-hand insight into how U.S. eggs and egg products can tap into growing market demand and benefit their businesses’ bottom lines.
The Caribbean and Mexican markets represent a strong growth opportunity for U.S. egg exports, the groups note. For 2017, the Caribbean ranked third and Mexico ranked fourth in value among U.S. export destinations for table eggs and products. These markets rank behind only Hong Kong and Canada, respectively.
Exports to the Caribbean accounted for 13.2 percent of U.S. table egg export volume in 2017. U.S. egg exports to the Caribbean more than quadrupled from 2010 to 2017, reaching $26.9 million in 2017, accounting for 10.8 percent of the $249 million total value of U.S. egg exports. Top markets in the Caribbean include the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Cayman Islands, and Dominican Republic. Exports to Mexico accounted for 12.1 percent of U.S. table egg export volume in 2017, reaching $27 million and accounting for 10.9 percent of total value of U.S. overall egg exports in 2017.
“The American Egg Board is excited to pursue growth opportunities in key international markets,” said Anne L. Alonzo, AEB president and CEO. “We welcome the occasion to create educational moments and meaningful connections with buyers from the Caribbean and Mexico, and — with the support of partners like USAPEEC — to bring new egg inspiration to the Americas Food and Beverage show.”
Also at AFB, John Howeth of AEB and Shelly McKee of USAPEEC delivered a complimentary workshop titled “Eggcellent Opportunity: Egg Trends and How to Use U.S. Eggs and Egg Products to Improve your Bottom Line.” Discussion items included trends affecting U.S. eggs sales, how to leverage egg products and the steps involved in egg processing and safeguards in place to ensure U.S. egg quality and safety.
More information about the AEB can be obtained at www.aeb.org.