A team of 15 farm industry leaders traveled to Monterrey, Mexico, last week, representing the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in the first post-COVID trade mission. The group met with buyers and importers at the Expo Carnes trade show, visited a processing facility that utilizes only U.S. pork products, and viewed a wide variety of retail ranging from traditional markets to high-end meat boutiques. USMEF-Mexico Regional Director Gerardo Rodriguez said the group was brought to Monterrey in part because of the broad diversity of retail available there, which features both common markets and very modern premium grocery stores.
?The way that people usually buy their meat in the traditional carnicerias- in the wet market,? Rodriguez said. ?But we also went to a modern supermarket chain – the way the meat has been merchandise there, how the digital era is getting into this channel about working through the different platforms. Then we went to the high-end stores, and we were also able to visit some of their meat boutiques.?
Keith Miller, representing the Kansas Soybean Commission, said the processor worked with the USMEF to switch from pork belly to the more affordable pork jowl for its chicharron products.
?The pork jowl makes a good product for them that is a lot cheaper because that’s a product that we typically don’t use a lot of in the United States,? Miller said. ?They really like it down here because it cooks up real nice and tender, and they can season it. They really enjoy it. The price is cheaper, so it fits in all categories.?
Indiana farmer Jim Douglas, who represents soybean growers on the USMEF Board of Directors, said the trade missions are an important tool in maintaining strong relationships with key trading partners such as Mexico.
?I think it just shows the awareness of how sincere we are to work in these markets, and we really appreciate their business,? Douglas said. ?Tremendous customer, Mexico is, and we really appreciate everything they’ve done for us.?
For more information, visit usmef.org.
