Despite economic headwinds, the U.S. red meat industry is finding opportunities in the global rebound of tourism and growing demand for high-quality beef, John Hinners, senior vice president of industry relations for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said at the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention Dec. 12.

Hinners highlighted both challenges and op­­portunities in the global market for U.S. beef and pork.

One of the challenges is the strong dollar, which makes U.S. products more expensive in other countries. “We know there are going to be some headwinds with U.S. beef,” Hinners said. “One of those is a strong dollar.”

He also pointed to inflation as a factor impacting the industry, particularly...