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Commercial Beef Purchaser Preferences in the U.S.

In this section:

Dotted ArrowThe Importance of Food Safety
Dotted ArrowCommercial Beef Quality
Dotted ArrowSupply, Profitability and Customer Satisfaction

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The Importance of Food Safety

A survey* of U.S. meat professionals purchasing commercial beef was conducted by an independent market research firm to determine key factors influencing purchasing decisions.

Almost 85% of buyers surveyed indicated that HACCP food safety systems were very important. A total of 82% reported that microbiological testing to support food safety was important to their business. The majority of respondents (86%) indicated that commercial beef from Canada was equally as safe or safer than the same type of product imported into the U.S. from other countries.


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Commercial Beef Quality

Purchasers of commercial beef also reported that quality related factors significantly influenced their procurement decisions. More than 85% of buyers indicated that specification accuracy was very important to their business. The availability of fresh trim (not just frozen) was reported as important by 66% of respondents. In total, 86% rated the quality of Canadian commercial beef as equivalent or better than the same type of product imported into the U.S. from offshore.


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Supply, Profitability and Customer Satisfaction

The availability of a consistent supply of commercial beef was the highest rated factor with 94% of meat professionals surveyed indicating this was very important to their business. More than 80% of commercial beef purchasers reported that the profitability of Canadian commercial beef was as good as or better than offshore product. None of the respondents that had previously purchased Canadian commercial beef reported that they were unsatisfied with the product.

*Commissioned survey of 50 commercial beef processors performed by Technomonic Inc. in 2008.

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