What USMEF does

USMEF (U.S. Meat Export Federation) is a private, non-profit trade association founded in 1996 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, that operates as the primary U.S. market development organization for red meat exports. The federation conducts promotional activities, trade servicing, and market access work in more than 80 countries, supported by 19 international offices and regional representatives located across Asia-Pacific (Japan, South Korea, China/Hong Kong/Beijing/Shanghai/Taiwan, Singapore/ASEAN, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam), the Americas (Mexico, Central America, South America, Chile, Colombia, Caribbean), Europe/UK, the Middle East, and Africa. Its mission is to increase the value and profit opportunities for the U.S. beef, pork, and lamb industries through international demand generation and trade facilitation.

USMEF's service portfolio spans resource tools (Find a U.S. Supplier directory, Meat Cut Information database, Country Specific Guidelines), marketing programs (Branded Products Promotion Program, international office-conducted product promotions, trade seminars, retail/hotel/restaurant promotions), data services (Export Data Archives with monthly statistics by species, market and consumer research), marketplace services (Trade Leads platform), and education (Exporter Trainings). Technical export services cover labeling, health/sanitary certification, tariff navigation, and EU/Halal pre-plant inspections at reduced rates for members. Communication channels include the weekly Export Newsline newsletter, a YouTube channel, news/press releases, and direct international trade team visits to member facilities.

The federation's revenue model is funded through six primary streams, per FY 2025 audited financials: USDA Market Access Programs (MAP, FMD, EMP, RAPP) at approximately 46%, Beef Checkoff at 20%, Pork Checkoff at 14%, Soybean Checkoff at 9%, Corn Checkoff at 7%, and lamb industry/packer/processor/agribusiness/other contributions at 4%. Membership dues from beef/veal producers, pork producers, lamb producers, packers, processors, purveyors, traders, oilseeds/feedgrains producers, farm organizations, and supply/service organizations provide recurring annual revenue, with renewal cycles effective October 1st and prorated dues for mid-year joiners. USMEF serves its members — and indirectly U.S. red meat producers and feeders — as a USDA cooperator under the most-diverse-membership model in the meat and livestock industry.

Name

USMEF

Legal name

U.S. Meat Export Federation

Website

https://usmef.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is a non-profit trade association that develops international markets for U.S. beef, pork, and lamb exports through 19 overseas offices serving 80+ countries, funded by USDA programs and commodity checkoffs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Trade Association Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (11521), Animal Food Manufacturing (3111)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Pork Export Processing & Compliance (USDA/FSIS, EU/China Specs) (AFANABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beef Export Processing & Certification (Export-Approved Plants, Traceability) (AFANAAAI), Animal Health Policy, Standards & International Coordination (e.g., WOAH/FAO) (HLAMAJAO)

Keywords

• Red meat export promotion
• International market development
• Agricultural trade association
• Meat export services
• Trade servicing

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: USMEF receives funding from membership dues paid by companies and individuals in the U.S. red meat industry including beef/veal producers, pork producers, lamb producers, packers and processors, purveyors and traders, oilseeds producers, feedgrains producers, farm organizations, and supply and service organizations. Memberships are renewed annually on October 1st with prorated dues.
2. USDA Market Access Programs: USMEF receives funds through the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Emerging Market Program (EMP), and RAPP as a USDA cooperator. These programs account for approximately 46% of funding based on FY 2025 audited financial statements.
3. Beef Checkoff: Funding from the Beef Checkoff program, accounting for approximately 20% of USMEF's budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements.
4. Pork Checkoff: Funding from the Pork Checkoff program, accounting for approximately 14% of USMEF's budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements.
5. Soybean and Corn Checkoff Programs: Funding from Soybean Checkoff (approximately 9%) and Corn Checkoff (approximately 7%), accounting for combined 16% of budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements.
6. Lamb Industry and Other Sources: Funding from lamb industry, packer/processors, purveyor/traders, agribusiness, farm organizations and others, accounting for approximately 4% of the budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

USMEF is a non-profit trade association that conducts international market development activities for U.S. beef, pork, and lamb exports across 80+ countries. It delivers trade servicing, market intelligence, export services (labeling, certification, tariff assistance), and promotional programs (trade seminars, retail/restaurant campaigns) through a network of 19 international offices, funded by member dues and USDA and checkoff programs.

Product overview

USMEF (U.S. Meat Export Federation) operates as a trade membership organization rather than a software product company. The organization provides a suite of export resources and services including supplier directories (Find a U.S. Supplier), trade data archives, market intelligence, country-specific import guidelines, and promotional programs. These services are delivered through its website and international offices, supporting U.S. red meat exporters in over 80 countries. The portfolio includes market access facilitation, trade lead publishing, branded product promotion funding, export training seminars, and a weekly Export Newsline newsletter.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Find a U.S. Supplier Online directory tool enabling international buyers to search for companies that supply U.S. red meat products to their region. Available as a resource for exporters and importers.
• Branded Products Promotion Program Program allowing U.S. exporters to receive funding support for international promotional activities such as trade seminars, joint promotions, publicity campaigns, and retail/hotel/restaurant promotions for U.S. red meat products.
• Export Data Archives Historical export results database sorted by month and species for U.S. pork, beef, and lamb, providing export statistics for trade analysis and market intelligence.
• Trade Leads Platform Online platform publishing international trade leads and opportunities for U.S. exporters, with members able to view and submit trade leads.
• Export Trainings Seminars and training programs for U.S. exporters covering technical, financial, market analysis, trends, and trade issues related to international red meat exports.
• Country Specific Import Guidelines Country-by-country database of import requirements and regulatory guidelines for U.S. red meat exporters entering specific international markets.
• Export Newsline Newsletter Weekly news and information newsletter covering export market developments, USMEF activities, and international red meat trade intelligence for members.
• USMEF Membership Annual membership available to companies and individuals with a common business interest in the U.S. red meat industry, renewed each October 1 with prorated dues for mid-year joiners. Membership includes access to trade leads, export bulletins, technical notes, importer lists, and international trade team visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• U.S. beef exports generated $9.33 billion in export value in 2025, equating to $391.94 per head of fed slaughter.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAs a USDA cooperator, USMEF receives funds through the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Market Development Program (FMD), Emerging Market Program (EMP), and RAPP. These USDA programs account for approximately 46% of USMEF's budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements. This partnership enables USMEF to conduct international market development activities for U.S. red meat exports.
• Beef Checkoff ProgramcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Beef Checkoff program provides funding to USMEF, accounting for approximately 20% of USMEF's budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements. The Beef Checkoff is funded by beef producers and feeders.
• Pork Checkoff ProgramcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Pork Checkoff program provides funding to USMEF, accounting for approximately 14% of USMEF's budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements. The Pork Checkoff is funded by pork producers.
• Soybean Checkoff ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Soybean Checkoff program provides funding to USMEF, accounting for approximately 9% of USMEF's budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements.
• Corn Checkoff ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Corn Checkoff program provides funding to USMEF, accounting for approximately 7% of USMEF's budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements.
• Lamb Industry, Packers, Purveyors, Agribusiness, Farm OrganizationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding from lamb industry, packer/processors, purveyor/traders, agribusiness, farm organizations and others accounts for approximately 4% of USMEF's budget based on FY 2025 audited financial statements.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• U.S. Grains Council: The U.S. Grains Council promotes U.S. corn, barley, sorghum, and co-products (including DDGS) through international offices and USDA cooperator programs. It is a key downstream partner to USMEF given the linkage between red meat exports and feedgrain demand.
• U.S. Wheat Associates: U.S. Wheat Associates is a USDA cooperator that conducts market development for U.S. wheat exports through 13 international offices and similar trade servicing, technical assistance, and consumer promotion activities — directly comparable in structure and funding mix to USMEF.
• National Pork Board: The National Pork Board administers the Pork Checkoff program — one of USMEF's largest funding sources (14% of FY25 budget). It focuses on domestic pork promotion, research, and consumer education, partially overlapping with USMEF's export-focused work.
• USA Rice Federation: USA Rice promotes U.S. rice exports internationally through USDA cooperator programs and international representation, following a similar model to USMEF for international market development, trade servicing, and promotional activities.
• Almond Board of California: The Almond Board administers a federal marketing order and conducts international market development through USDA cooperator programs, mirroring USMEF's structure of assessment-based funding and international promotional activities.
• American Lamb Board: The American Lamb Board administers the lamb checkoff and promotes U.S. lamb domestically and is a key stakeholder/funding partner for USMEF's lamb export promotion activities, comparable in scale and checkoff-funded structure.
• National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA): NCBA is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff program (20% of USMEF's FY25 budget) and serves as the primary trade association for U.S. cattle producers. It handles domestic beef promotion, policy, and research with substantial overlap with USMEF's export-focused mission.
• USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC): USAPEEC is a USDA cooperator that promotes U.S. poultry and egg exports internationally through a similar model of international offices, trade servicing, and promotional programs. It is the most direct functional peer to USMEF within the U.S. protein export promotion ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA): WUSATA is another USDA-funded state regional trade group that facilitates international market development for U.S. agricultural products, including meat and livestock. It operates with a similar cooperator-funding model but covers a broader product portfolio.
• Food Export Association of the Midwest USA: Food Export Midwest is a USDA-funded state regional trade group that promotes a wide range of Midwest agricultural products (including meat) internationally. It is a broader-adjacent peer with overlapping USDA cooperator funding and export promotion services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSN_plM7eAupIlMj5NtQtqg/featured
• Xx.com/usmef
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/usmef

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about USMEF