The final shipments are still being tallied, but we already know that 2021 will set a record for U.S. pork exports to Mexico. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) representative Gerardo Rodriguez explained the factors behind the record-setting numbers.
?Number one is the expansion on the different channels that we are promoting in working in Mexico, especially the retail sector,? Rodriguez said. ?The clubs, which is Sam’s Club, Costco, City Club, among many others, they are supplying the food service in that family-owned type of restaurants. So, it’s a good channel to promote pork. But at the same time, that recovery in the foodservice, the last 18 months, it has been certainly challenged. But at the same time, it has opened a number of business opportunity for expanding pork in the food service. Working with our partners in the home delivery service, pork has been the shining star. But at the same time, we just cannot forget about working with the processors in the research and development, which nowadays, we’re able to say that we have certain amount of new products that they were not existing early this year.?
Rodriguez added that consumers in Mexico are looking to indulge in higher-quality products after months of pandemic lockdowns.
?We can see these on the sales on the retail sector,? Rodriguez said. ?They say ‘I deserve better. I have been in this lockdown for so long, that when I go and do my groceries and I buy my meat, I deserve better quality, I receive a better option for me and my family.’ There is more and more interest on trying new dishes, in learning about new ways new techniques. Why is that? Because not only the attributes of the product, but also the fact that we have been doing joint ventures with kitchen appliance such as Ninja, such as air fryers, such as instant pots, that we can educate the consumer about new ways of eating pork.?
For more information, visit usmef.org.
