It's What's for Dinner: PMI Foods blazes trail into the Chinese beef market.

• Author: Miller, Derek B.
• Position: Worldview

In May 2017, an exciting announcement was made for meat producers across the United States. For the first time since 2003, China would allow U.S. beef exports directly into the country.

At a time when protectionist policies are dominating the national dialogue and the fate of long-standing trade agreements are in question, the opening up of the Chinese beef market has been a positive step for international trade. This change has led to new opportunities in a country that is already one of Utah's top trading partners.

A big win for Utah companies Agriculture production and processing make up approximately 15 percent of total Utah GDP, and the cattle industry represents a sizable percentage of that. Many hardworking, family-owned cattle ranchers across the state now have access to millions of new potential customers in China.

The policy change does not only impact large companies, but small, rural companies as well. As the demand for beef rises, so will the price. It is exciting to think about the positive reverberations this will have in rural communities.

Parker-Migliorini International (PMI Foods), a global enterprise located in Salt Lake City, is an example of a large Utah company that has already seen a boom in business thanks to this trade agreement. Offering a broad range of food products, PMI Foods jumped head first into this new market as soon as the announcement was made.

PMI Foods, bringing U.S. beef back to China

In June, PMI Shanghai received CIQ (China Inspection and Quarantine) approval and was the first company to import a shipment of U.S. beef since the ban was lifted. This is quite an accomplishment for a company that started in Utah and another "No. 1" for the state. The company has been selling goods on Fruitday, an e-commerce platform that focuses on global import of fresh products.

PMI Foods supplies an extensive range of products, including beef, pork, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and animal feed, to all of the major international markets around the world. It has corporate offices strategically located in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania.

The company operates on three business platforms: PMI Global Solutions, PMI Distribution and PMI Food Service. PMI Global Solutions is the product procurement, sales and logistics side of the business, while PMI Distribution supplies the needs of local wholesale markets and PMI Food Service. PMI Food Service sells to restaurants, processors and retailers in...