The inaugural trade mission to Luanda, Angola, led by the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) from February 26 to 29, was hailed as a success by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Supported by the Beef Checkoff Program, Matt Copeland, the USMEF Africa Representative, accompanied the delegation to Angola.
Copeland commended Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small and Mark Slupek, FAS Deputy Administrator of Global Programs, for their invaluable guidance and leadership throughout the mission. He emphasized the significance of having prominent USDA figures present in Angola, asserting that their presence sent a robust message to the emerging market.
He stated, “It was also advantageous for potential customers to witness firsthand the sincerity and strategic understanding of the Angolan market possessed by these individuals. This understanding includes recognizing Angola’s potential as a customer base.”
Before the trade mission, USMEF identified Angola as a promising market for premium beef cuts, a belief reinforced during the delegation’s visit.
Although Angola exhibits a demand for variety meats, there is a growing market for high-quality cuts, particularly in Western-style, among both retail and foodservice establishments.
“Given that Luanda is renowned as one of the most expensive cities globally, there is a clear opportunity for US beef and pork cuts to take center stage in dining establishments during the evenings,” Copeland remarked.
One of the challenges Copeland highlighted is the necessity to educate buyers about the distinctive quality attributes that set US red meat apart from its competitors.
