Distributors

Welcome to the gateway of premium U.S. Beef exports.

As a distributor, you play a pivotal role in connecting world-class USA beef to global markets.

Here we want to provide you with trusted, science-backed information, essential certification details and everything you need to build long-standing relationships with clients who value quality, traceability and ethical sourcing.

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Traceability & Certification

U.S. Beef is supported by a robust traceability and certification framework designed to meet a wide range of international market requirements. For export programs with specific standards, including the United Kingdom and European Union, product can be sourced and verified through approved protocols that ensure compliance. Distributors can rely on USDA certifications, validated program requirements, and the globally recognized Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program.

U.S. beef is graded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure consistent eating quality and product integrity. Quality grades, including Prime, Choice, and Select, provide a reliable benchmark for tenderness, juiciness, and flavor, supporting buyer confidence across global markets.

U.S. beef is produced under a science-based food safety system built on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles. This integrated approach, overseen by agencies including the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), ensures rigorous inspection, risk management, and compliance throughout the production process.

U.S. beef is supported by verified export programs designed to meet specific international requirements, including those of the United Kingdom and European Union. Through approved supply chains and certification processes, eligible product can meet EU and UK standards with oversight and certification provided by USDA authorities.

The Beef Quality Assurance Program promotes best practices in animal care, handling, and production, reinforcing product integrity across the supply chain.

Safety Standards

U.S. Beef is produced under one of the most robust food safety systems globally. Safety protocols are science-based, internationally recognized, and enforced at every level of the supply chain.

Food Safety System

U.S. beef is produced under a science-based food safety system that proactively manages risk at every stage of the supply chain. This approach is supported by HACCP-based principles to ensure consistent control, verification, and product safety.

Pathogen Control

A multi-hurdle approach is used to control pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. Interventions include antimicrobial treatments, sanitary dressing procedures, and validated control measures throughout processing.

Animal Health & Disease Prevention

The United States maintains strict national programs to prevent and control animal diseases relevant to international trade.

The U.S. has comprehensive safeguards against BSE, including feed controls and specified risk material removal.
The U.S. is recognized as free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, supported by import controls and surveillance.

Continuous Improvement

The U.S. beef industry supports ongoing research, innovation, and training to strengthen food safety systems and adapt to evolving global standards.

quality standards

Beef Quality Assurance

The BQA program is the backbone of U.S. Beef quality, ensuring that every step in production meets rigorous standards for safety, animal care and consistency.

Carcass Grading

Carcasses are evaluated for quality based on marbling and maturity. Prime, Choice, and Select are the most commonly exported grades, providing a consistent benchmark for eating quality.

EU and UK Quota Compliance

U.S. Beef eligible for the United Kingdom and European Union's High-Quality Beef (HQB) quotas must meet strict USDA and EU and UK-mandated specifications. Certifications, facility approvals and traceability are mandatory for entry.

u.s. beef

From pasture
to plate

U.S. Beef is backed by one of the most advanced traceability and certification systems in the world.

The Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) Program

The Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) Program has been in effect since 1999, when the European Union (EU) and the U.S. agreed to specific control measures to facilitate the trade of non-hormone treated beef, including veal.

There are three principal components of this Program:

Cattle are to be grown in approved farms/feedlots and delivered to the slaughter establishment with shipping documentation that includes the statement "Cattle Meet Export Verification Program Requirements for the EU" and clearly identifies the animals and the quantity.
Non-Hormone treated cattle and beef are segregated at the slaughter establishment and handled in a fashion that ensures that they are not commingled with other animals or meat.
Tissue samples from non-hormone treated cattle are collected at slaughter and analyzed in order for FSIS to provide export certification for this product.

Traceability from birth to slaughter

In order for FSIS to provide export certification for product:

• All farms, ranches, and feedlots approved under these programs and that raise beef destined for shipment to the European Union (EU) as non-hormone treated cattle must be listed on the FSIS PartnerShare website.

• There must be verification that there are effective controls at the slaughter establishment.

Official NHTC Programs

Export & Import Guidelines

To import beef meat into the EU and UK from the USA, a company must contract to purchase product produced in one of the EU and UK-approved slaughter and deboning facilities in the USA. The list of these facilities is included below and can be consulted here.

Beef and pork produced in the USA destined for the EU and UK market has to be produced from cattle or hogs born, raised, and slaughtered in the USA and that have been traced throughout their lives in the Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) or Pork for the European Union (PFEU).

The requirements for the slaughter and processing plants can be consulted here. Before shipping U.S. beef into the EU and UK, please consult the tariff and quota guidelines available below

FSIS Export Library

Tariff Quota Details

Slaughter Facilities

U.S. Beef Exporters to the EU and UK

Updated information in June 2026

For additional information on export requirements to the United Kingdom and European Union, please refer to the guidance documents available through the U.S. Meat Export Federation. These resources provide detailed, up-to-date information on a range of topics related to exporting U.S. beef to the EU and UK, including regulatory requirements, certification processes, and market access guidelines.

Agri Beef

Address
1555 Shoreline Drive, Suite 320, ID 83702
Contact
Jay Theiler
Email
jay.theiler@agribeef.com
Phone
+1-208-338-2500
Website
www.agribeef.com

Creekstone Farms

Address
P.O. Box 1007, 604 Goff Industrial Park Road, Arkansas City, KS 67005
Contact
Alfonso Terrazas
Email
aterrazas@cfpbeef.com
Phone
+1-620-741-3124
Website
www.creekstonefarms.com

Fort Worth Meat Packers

Address
3801 N Grove St, Fort Worth, TX 76106
Contact
Juan Alfonso Ramos
Email
juan@fwmp.com
Phone
+1 817-381-2138
Website
www.fwmp.com

Greater Omaha Packing

Address
3001 L Street Omaha, NE 68107
Contact
Jerry Wiggs
Email
Jerry@greateromaha.com
Phone
+1-800-47-5400
Website
www.greateromaha.com

JBS

Address
1770 Promontory Circle Greeley, CO 80634
Contact
Nick Sherwood, JBS London
Email
nick.sherwood@jbsglobal.co.uk
Phone
+44-208-369-5310
Website
www.jbssa.com

MetaFoods

Address
2970 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 510, Atlanta, GA 30329
Contact
Knud Aagaard-Svendsen
Email
sales@metafoodsllc.com
Phone
+1-404-843-2400
Website
www.metafoodsllc.net

One World Beef

Address
512 Via de la Valle Ste.310, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (USA)
Contact
Bernard Rigal
Email
brigal@oneworldbeef.com
Phone
+1-714-2497259
Website
www.oneworldbeef.com

Platte Valley Food Group

Address
10 E 50th Ave, #301, Denver, CO 80216
Contact
James Viola / Mike Hutchinson
Email
info@plattevalleyfoodgroup.com
Phone
+1 303-466-8826
Website
www.plattevalleyfoodgroup.com

Tejas Premium Meats LLC

Address
3555 FM 67, Itasca, Texas 76055
Contact
Allen Gilbert
Email
allen@tejas-premiummeats.com
Phone
+1 254-687-9710
Website
www.tejas-premiummeats.com

U.S. Bison Suppliers to the EU and UK

Platte Valley Food Group

Rocky Mountain Natural Meats LLC

Address
9757 Alton Way, Henderson, CO 80640
Contact
Bob Dineen
Email
Info@GreatRangeBison.com
Phone
+1-303-287-7100
Website
www.greatrangebison.com

European and UK Direct Importers of U.S. Beef

Updated information in June 2026

Albers Food

Address
Mündelheimer Weg 6, 40472 Düsseldorf, Germany
Contact
Frank Albers
Email
frankalbers@albersfood.de
Phone
+49 2119-42940
Website
www.albersfood.de
Note
USA brand: Greater Omaha Packing

Euromeat Quabas

Address
Via Francesco Mascherpa, 14, IT-29010 Castelvetro Piacentino Italy
Contact
Lorenzo Signori
Email
lorenzo.signori@quabas.it
Phone
+39 0523257100; +39 0523 817111
Website
www.quabas.it
Note
USA brands: Kansas Ranch Premium Reserve and Blackstone Wagyu

Frostmeat

Address
Dornierstr. 4, 82205 Gilching, Germany
Contact
Johannes Biel
Email
johannes.biel@frostmeat.de
Phone
+49-8105-39886-22
Website
www.frostmeat.de
Note
USA brand: Let’s Meat

Giraudi

Address
74 bd d’Italie Bât E/F 98000, Monaco
Contact
Lara Messie
Email
l.messie@giraudi.com
Phone
+377 93 10 42 42
Website
www.giraudi.com
Note
USA brands: Creekstone Farms, Snake River Farms and Double R Ranch

GPS Food Group

Address
Windsor House, Britannia Rd, Waltham Cross EN8 7NX, United Kingdom
Contact
Leigh Perkins
Email
leigh.perkins@gpsfoodgroup.com
Phone
+44 (0) 7590 776 672
Website
www.gpsfoodgroup.com
Note
USA brand: Greater Omaha Packing

INALCA

Address
Via Spilamberto, 30/c, 41014 Castelvetro di Modena (MO)
Contact
Tommaso Cremonini
Email
tommaso@inalca.it
Phone
+39 059755454
Website
www.inalca.it
Note
USA brand: Greater Omaha Packing

JBS Global (UK) Ltd

Address
Imperial Place, Building 1, Maxwell Road, Borehamwood, WD6 1JN UK
Contact
Nick Sherwood
Email
nick.sherwood@jbsglobal.co.uk
Phone
+44 208 6395 310
Website
www.jbsglobal.co.uk
Note
USA brand: Cedar River Farms

Metafoods Europe

Address
2970 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 510, Atlanta, Ga 30329, USA
Contact
Knud Aagaard-Svendsen
Email
sales@metafoodsllc.com
Phone
+1 (404) 843-2400
Website
www.metafoodsllc.net
Note
USA beef brands: Greater Omaha Packing

MFC Carni

Address
Zona Industriale Taverna di Annibale – 83040 Frigento (Av)
Contact
Michele Calo
Email
michelecalo@mfccarni.com
Phone
+39 0825 448992 – 437961 – 437049
Website
www.mfccarni.com

Nice to Meat

Address
Kobaltstraat 2, 1362 JM Almere, Netherlands
Contact
Patrick Pouw
Email
p.pouw@nicetomeat.com
Phone
+31 (0)36 535 92 00
Website
www.nicetomeat.com
Note
USA brands: Creekstone Farms

OTTO Gourmet

Address
Boos-Fremery-Str. 62, Industriepark Oberbruch, 52525 Heinsberg Germany
Contact
Stephan Otto
Email
s.otto@otto-gourmet.de
Phone
+49 2452-97626-100
Website
www.otto-gourmet.de
Note
USA brand: Morgan Ranch

Zandbergen World's Finest Meat

Address
Industrieweg 66, 2382 NW, Zoeterwoude Rijndijk, The Netherlands
Contact
Joris Zandbergen
Email
joris@zandbergen.com
Phone
+31 6 55 870 812
Website
www.zandbergen.com

Stages of Beef Production

Most U.S. grazing lands are not suitable for crops, making cattle a vital part of sustainable food production.

From pasture to plate, U.S. Beef production follows a clear, sustainable lifecycle:

More Info About Production Stages

beef choices & types

The U.S. Beef industry offers a variety of options to meet consumer and market demands. Each beef type is safe, nutritious and produced under strict oversight.

Grain-Fed

High marbling, consistent flavor, juiciness and tenderness

Naturally Raised

Minimally processed, no synthetic additives

Grass-Finished

Pasture-raised, forage-fed
for life

Certified Organic

USDA Organic compliant, no antibiotics or growth promotants.

Resources

We’ve created an extensive library of downloads, videos and compliance checklists to support your role in the supply chain.

Distributor resources

FAQs

What documentation is required to export U.S. Beef to the EU and UK

Exporters must comply with USDA certification, NHTC program requirements, and be listed in EU and UK-approved facility databases. Full documentation details are available here.

What is the NHTC Program and how do I get certified?

The NHTC (Non-Hormone Treated Cattle) Program certifies that beef comes from cattle not treated with hormonal growth promotants. Certification involves facility approval, record-keeping, and USDA audits.

Which beef cuts are most popular with international buyers

This varies by region, but common export favorites include striploin, ribeye, tenderloin and short ribs. We provide regional cut guides for your market.

How do I find certified U.S. Beef exporters

USMEF maintains a list of certified beef exporters and slaughter facilities that meet export program standards. Visit here for the most updated list.

What kind of support does USMEF provide to distributors

We offer marketing assets, certification guidance, training, market insights, and trade show opportunities.

Can I request promotional materials or retail signage?

Yes. Distributors and retailers can request branded POS materials, educational flyers and promotional assets. Submit your request via the Contact Page.

Is grain-fed beef better than grass-finished beef?

Both have unique benefits. Grain-fed beef typically offers more marbling and tenderness, while grass-finished is leaner with a distinctive flavor. It depends on consumer preference and market demand.

What food safety measures does U.S. beef follow?

All beef undergoes USDA inspection and must follow HACCP food safety plans. Additional measures include BQA certification, microbial testing, and cold chain controls.

What are the shipping and cold chain requirements for U.S. Beef

Exports must be maintained at specific temperatures throughout transit and must comply with documentation and destination country import requirements.

Do you offer guidance on customs or import regulations?

Yes. We provide updated regulatory documents, market briefs and access to USDA and FSIS export libraries. Our team can also provide region-specific support.