May pork exports were the highest in two years and that’s partially due to big demand from Latin America. Mexico is the best example with pork exports on a record-breaking pace. However, there is potential for additional export growth in red meat exports in Central and South America. That’s based on the success the U.S. has had with Mexico and Columbia after signing trade agreements. U.S. livestock producers were just in Columbia with the U.S. Meat Federation meeting with buyers at the Latin American Product Showcase.
Randy Spronk, is a pork producer from Edgerton, Minnesota and Chair-Elect of the U.S. Meat Export Federation: And so, I think it’s one of the great things that we see here with over 475 attendants. You know, you’ve got over 100 importers from Colombia alone. You’ve got 25 countries from Latin America and Central America here so you’ve got a very vibrant exchange going on here with our exporters and the importers into Latin America.”
U.S. livestock producers are hoping to build on the export growth they’ve seen in countries like Columbia. When the U.S. struck the Free Trade Agreement with Columbia over a decade ago sales of U.S. red meat were in the single digits. However, with the FTA and the strong relationship between the two trading partners they’ve seen a big increase in exports. “The most recent data shows it’s about 12 kilograms, which would be close to 25-pound per capita consumption. So, a phenomenal growth in consumption of U.S. pork products within Colombia, but also then our market share within Colombia. And so, it just shows the potential once we open a market and get a free trade agreement. And actually, then over time of developing relationships and exactly what’s going on here today. We do move more product because of the competitiveness of US beef, pork, and lamb producers.”
He says expanding exports in Latin America will also help the U.S. diversify beyond China. “When it comes to meat exports of beef, pork and lamb what we’re really what we’re looking for is diversification of markets. Get the highest value for each one of the primal cuts that we producers in the United States make.”
Spronk says consumers in the Latin American countries like U.S. red meat for many reasons including their price point and sustainability. He says, “It’s really all about our feed products here. It’s all about our corn or soybean products that make up that nutrition that we have here. That’s what really gives us the basic competitiveness here and the cost advantages that we have to other places that are producing red meat in the world here. And so I think it’s the value they’re always looking for you know in their market or the in country market where can they get the best value and a lot of times just because of the U.S. market.
Spronk says their also targeting Latin America because they’re good customers of variety meats, like liver, which aren’t popular in the U.S. So these sales add a tremendous amount to the value of each carcass.
