US pork exports to Central America rose 11 percent in the first eight months of the year compared with the same period last year, passing 130,000 metric tons, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), Farms.com reported. The value of those exports grew faster, by 15 percent, to $377 million.
USMEF credits a deliberate push to sell US pork as more than raw material for processing. Lucia Ruano, its regional representative, said training and promotion across the region have shown importers, retailers, chefs and shoppers new ways to prepare and serve pork. The aim is to build demand for higher-value cuts, so that pork is served as the centre of the plate rather than ground into sausages and other processed products, which adds value along the US supply chain.
Honduras and Guatemala remain the region's main buyers, but exporters are finding openings in smaller markets too. In Nicaragua, US pork has kept gaining ground despite limits on some promotional and marketing activity. Retail promotions there have helped; USMEF said sales of US pork loin at the La Colonia supermarket chain were up 55 percent on the year. Exports to Nicaragua rose 10 percent in value through August, to $48 million.
For American hog farmers, the growth spreads their sales beyond the home market and supports overall demand for US pork, Farms.com said, and wider acceptance of fresh and premium cuts could capture more value along the chain. With education, retail partnerships and market development continuing, Central America looks set to stay an important growth region for the industry.
Photo: rockindave1 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Source: Farms.com
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