Global Stampede for Chops and Chitterlings Excel^® Brand Helps Customers Benefit from Growing Global Pork Demand
2006-08-16

WICHITA, Kan. – From Beijing to Berlin, from Seoul to Sapporo, people around the world are demanding their baby-back ribs. With U.S. pork exports projected to increase to 21.7 billion pounds next year*, Excel® Fresh Meats is uniquely positioned to help customers capitalize on growing global pork consumption.

Cargill Meat Solutions produces culture-specific cuts from a special export (SPEX™) room in its Ottumwa, Iowa, plant that place its products in high demand around the world.

“Cargill Meat Solutions was the first North American company to examine the issue of importers needing culture-specific products,” said Chris Trumble, group brand manager, International Business, Cargill Meat Solutions. “When we planned the SPEX room, we developed the fabrication process from the perspective of other cultures and customer needs, not from our perspective here in the United States.”

Since culture-specific cuts determine the value of a product for export, it is vital that suppliers know and address the differences in order for their customers to succeed.

“For instance, pork spareribs are a favorite in America, but in Japan, a karubi rib is what you’d want to serve your customers,” said Joe Linot, group brand manger, Cargill Meat Solutions. “Knowing these differences is crucial.”

The SPEX room is designed to meet the needs of many different cultures, but it specifically targets Asian cultures (Japan and Korea are among the largest pork importing countries in the world).

Now approaching its 10th year, the SPEX room is successful because of the upfront research of a country’s culture, and then training the line workers accordingly. The line workers must focus on quality and accuracy as they use non-American styles of boning the carcass.

Specific cultural differences include breaking down the carcass with handheld knives in place of saws and using nylon cords to remove ribs. In-plant, special training is conducted to help keep the skills of the 300 SPEX room employees cutting edge.

“While these methods take more time and precision, we are committed to doing it right,” said Linot. “The Excel brand is about striving to be Genuinely Better in all that we do – from our people to our processes.”

And it’s working. Production has increased and pork exports to Asia have grown during a time when U.S. beef was not allowed to enter these countries. Coupled with its unique ability to deliver innovative solutions, Cargill Meat Solutions was able to fill the void for protein demand in the short term, and create demand for its pork in the long-term. Over time, the pork export business has grown four fold.

“Because of our keen insights into our targeted countries, doors to other markets have opened,” said Trumble. “Our staff has vast knowledge of the cultures, customers and consumers of the countries in which we sell our products. We listen to our customers’ needs and provide a product that their consumers want. It is a win-win for the customer and the consumer.”

Excel® Fresh Meats is a brand of beef and pork products that Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation markets to its worldwide customer base of retail and foodservice customers. The Excel brand represents 85 percent of Cargill Meat Solutions’ beef and pork offerings.

Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation is one of the largest fresh, frozen and value-added beef, pork and turkey suppliers in the country. The business is a subsidiary of Cargill, Incorporated, an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 149,000 employees in 63 countries, Cargill is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit www.cargillmeatsolutions.com and www.cargill.com.