Global Wrap: Despite a tough marketing environment for U.S. beef in global markets, there is optimism ahead

摘要

Just as the U.S. beef industry was slogging its way out of the BSE mire, the current global economic calamity reminds us again how important the global picture is to our beef businesses. "We've had financial crises before, but this is different in that it's a true global issue," says Deborah Perkins, Rabobank International's executive director of food and agribusiness research. "Even though food is less of a discretionary item, it's still affected in a recession." She adds that another factor affecting beef demand very soon could very well be food price inflation. Looming inflation in a sluggish global economy combined with a strong U.S. dollar points to a tough environment for U.S. beef in foreign markets.