Colombia

Seminar Seeks to Ease Red Meat Trade Obstacles in Colombia

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 16:54:22 GMT

With support from the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently joined USDA staff in meetings with Colombian officials designed to build a better understanding of the industry both in the U.S. and Colombia, according to a USMEF release. The seminar was an effort to build better relationships and ease red meat export challenges that have risen recently. In April, Columbia banned imports of beef from states where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in dairy cows.

U.S. officials gave a farm-to-fork view of the U.S. livestock industry, explaining the extensive safeguards that are in place to ensure food safety in the U.S., including mandatory Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements.

“The difference between Colombia and the U.S. is that Colombia has very few federally inspected plants, and in our country almost every, and especially every large plant, is federally inspected,” says USMEF Director of Export Services Courtney Heller. “And the infrastructure is very large and very effective. Another key difference between our industries is HACCP is not mandatory in many countries, including Colombia, but in the U.S., if you’re federally inspected, every facility is mandatorily using HACCP as part of their day-to-day operations”

Colombia is a major destination for U.S. pork, with exports racing to record pace in 2024. Through the first half of the year, shipments jumped 33% from a year ago to nearly 57,000 metric tons, while value soared 44% to $157.4 million. Beef exports to Colombia posted a strong first quarter but have struggled since HPAI-related restrictions were imposed this spring. First-half beef exports fell 22% year-over-year to 2,224 metric tons, valued at $13.4 million (down 13%).

Seminar participants included regulatory officials, port inspectors and others involved in the import process. Both sides have expressed interest in continuing the seminar on an annual basis.

National Swine Registry Joins USDA Trade Mission to Expand Market Access in Colombia

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:21:00 GMT

USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead 24 U.S. agribusinesses and organizations on a trade mission to Bogota, Colombia, on Aug. 13-15 to boost American agricultural exports and build upon the successes of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

“Colombia is a significant growth market for U.S. agricultural exports. As Latin America’s third-most-populous country, it features an expanding middle class and rising consumer purchasing power,” Taylor said in a release. “Colombian consumers are hungry for the world-class food and agricultural products that the U.S. offers, and I am excited to see how this mission expands bilateral trade and provides new opportunities for U.S. agriculture.”

The National Swine Registry (NSR) will be one of the 24 organizations and agribusinesses on the trip. Doug Newcom, NSR vice president of genetics and technology , says the organization has participated in Agribusiness Trade Missions to India, China, South Africa and Ghana.

“We’re excited to participate in Colombia, to learn about the Colombian swine industry. The goal is to develop relationships with decision makers (government, academics, producers) to determine their needs from a breeding stock or genetic perspective. If we as NSR and America’s Best Genetics (ABG) can fill some of those needs with genetic material or genetic improvement programs, we will. We also look forward to meeting representatives from various state departments of agriculture and USDA cooperators to determine if there are ways to leverage funding for collaborative marketing efforts in Colombia or elsewhere,” Newcom says.

U.S. agricultural exports to Colombia reached a record $3.7 billion in 2023. Colombia ranks as the seventh-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, while the U.S. is the top export market for Colombia’s agricultural products, USDA noted in a release. Colombia’s gross domestic product is expected to continue growing and remain slightly higher than the regional average.

U.S. Products Continue to Attract Interest
U.S. food and farm products are highly sought after in the Colombian market. A growing number of two-income households means consumers are increasingly interested in packaged and prepared foods, while substantial regulatory changes in packaging and taxes on products high in sugar, salt and saturated fats are helping drive demand for healthy foods, USDA explains.

Trade mission delegates will participate in business-to-business meetings with potential customers and policy discussions that will help build on the strong trade ties forged by the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

In addition to Under Secretary Taylor, officials from the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Texas departments of agriculture, as well leaders from the following businesses and organizations representing the diversity of U.S. agriculture, will be a part of the mission:

1. Aero-Cos International, Marlboro, N.J.
2. American Commodity Company, LLC, Williams, Calif.
3. Ampac Seed Company, Tangent, Ore.
4. Bard Valley Date Growers, Yuma, Calif.
5. Beaver Street Fisheries, Jacksonville, Fla.
6. Best Buy Grocers, Inc., Seattle, Wash.
7. Butterball, LLC., Garner, N.C.
8. Erratic Oaks Vineyard dba Citation Wines and Centerstone Wines, Issaquah, Wash.
9. Estrada Foods Brokerage, Miami, Fla.
10. Eurosemillas, S.A. – Green Motion Avocados, Riverside, Calif.
11. Exclusive Brand Marketing, Miami, Fla.
12. Feast Global, Ocean Springs, Miss.
13. FSD International, Atlanta, Ga.
14. Hoogwegt U.S., Inc., Lake Forest, Ill.
15. Ice Cream Factory, Lebanon, Mich.
16. Lamex Food, Inc., Bloomington, Minn.
17. Lead (USA) Global Group, LLC., Monterey Park, Calif.
18. Midwest Premier Foods, Johnston, Iowa
19. National Swine Registry, West Lafayette, Ind.
20. River Global, Washington, DC
21. The Neil Jones Food Company, Vancouver, Wash.
22. Trim-Rite & Rantoul Foods, Carpentersville, Ill.
23. Tuxedo Farms / Tuxedo Corn Co., LLC., Olathe, Colo.
24. U.S. Dry Bean Council, Portland, Ore.

From Brisket to Coulotte: U.S. Pork and Beef Gains Traction in Colombian Markets

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 15:40:53 GMT

In the bustling streets of Bogotá, where the aroma of grilling meat wafts through the air, Colombian butcher shops have found a new ally in their mission to deliver quality U.S. pork and beef cuts to their customers. With support from the USDA, the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has embarked on a mission to enhance the merchandising of U.S. red meat in Colombia.

Homero Recio, the Latin America Representative of USMEF, recently shared insights into the program, emphasizing the pivotal role played by butcher shops in Colombia’s retail sector. Despite the growth of modern supermarkets, these traditional establishments continue to dominate sales, leaving room for further expansion and collaboration with USMEF.

“Butcher shops in Colombia make up a larger part of sales than in other markets in Latin America,” explained Recio. “There’s still some expansion left in that model for MEF to work in. We have really seen the ability for our products, pork and beef, to take market share because of the individual cuts that we offer, the quality that we offer, the size and consistency that we offer.”

Recio highlighted the importance of moving beyond price considerations, focusing on the evaluation of the butcher shops’ business models. USMEF provides recommendations that result in cost savings, additional point-of-sale materials, and even redesigns of some butcher shops. This approach has created a positive impact on these establishments, empowering them to better serve their consumers.

The program strategically targets beef and pork cuts that are underutilized in the domestic market but hold immense potential in Colombia. On the beef side, the coulotte, the cap of the sirloin, has become a staple, boasting a different quality level than the traditional Colombian cut, Recio says. In recent years, USMEF has introduced secondary cuts like beef short ribs and beef tri-tip, expanding the variety available to consumers.

On the pork side, the emphasis lies on loins, particularly the sirloin end of the loin and the bone-in full loin, Recio notes. However, the true star in the Colombian market is the pork brisket bone, derived from the production of St. Louis ribs. This product, not only sold fresh but increasingly cured and smoked, has become a value-added item in the retail marketplace, capturing the taste buds of Colombian consumers.

As the aroma of sizzling meat continues to draw customers into Colombian butcher shops, the collaboration between USMEF, USDA, the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program ensures a flavorful journey for meat enthusiasts, introducing them to a diverse range of high-quality U.S. pork and beef cuts.

Promising Future for U.S. Pork in Central and South Americas, USMEF Reports

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 19:49:59 GMT

In four years’ time, promotion of U.S. pork by local retailers in the Panama and Columbia markets has greatly improved, says Randy Spronk, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) chair-elect and longtime pork industry leader, upon returning from a recent National Pork Board mission to the area.

In the retail space, Spronk explains the overall presentation of the products has improved since his last visit.

“I’m just going to be honest with you, I thought it was a very poor display of the product,” he recalls, referring to his trip four years ago.

Frozen pork had been sliced, not packaged and in an endcap at the store, he explains. Now, frozen product is sliced, packed in foam trays and wrapped individually, dramatically improving the appeal of the product to local consumers.

“We do see this gradual evolution of the growth of the market and, I think, actually the presentation of our product, as the cold chain matures,” he adds.

USMEF notes as the U.S. pork industry seeks to diversify global demand, Central and South America will be key growth areas.

“We have a tendency to look to Asia and think that’s our only potential for exports, but really, when you look at Central, South America, Latin America, you roll up all those countries, they have the population and the opportunity to be another Mexico,” Spronk notes.

Especially considering market diversification, Central and South American countries offer opportunity to the U.S. pork industry.

“The difficulty is each one of them is an individual country that we have to look at and grow that market. But Colombia and Panama are just two excellent examples of what we can do,” Spronk says.

Colombia has grown immensely in the last 10 years, following the free trade agreement from 2012.

Read More:
How Can U.S. Pork Maintain Dominance in Colombia?

How Can U.S. Pork Maintain Dominance in Colombia?

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Colombia’s pork market is steadily developing as consumers balance the competitive low cost of chicken with a need for variety, Gira writes in its latest report on Colombia in a study funded by the National Pork Board focusing on differentiation of U.S. pork in key international markets.

Beef consumption has declined in the last decade, but pork has more than made up for the losses. Despite programs to develop domestic production, imports have become a necessary part of the supply balance and provide a cost comparative input in a very price sensitive market, the report explains.

Imports of pork to Colombia have exploded over the last 10 years. For most of this time, the U.S. has been the dominant supplier aided by a 2012 free trade agreement and the U.S.’ cost-competitive position. However, the U.S. market share has slipped from over 90% in 2017 to 74% in first half 2022, as other global exporters look for alternatives to China, Gira highlights.

“With more potential competitors in the market, the U.S. will need to be more than cost comparative to defend its market position long term,” the report explains.

Why are Colombians Eating More Pork?

The National Pork Board has a history of working in partnership with the Colombian pork industry, says Courtney Knupp, vice president of international market development at the National Pork Board .

Throughout the last decade, the U.S. has partnered with Pork Colombia to grow overall demand for pork consumption, a driver that has enabled Colombia to continually modernize their domestic industry.

“We did general pork promotion campaigns that we co-partnered on to promote consumption in the country. Now, five to 10 years later, we’ve seen consumption continue to grow. And that’s a great example where that helped to modernize the domestic industry,” Knupp says. “They were able to grow to supply some of that existing and new demand. Then, it opened the door for import opportunity of which the U.S. now has a large market share.”

She says this shows what can happen when the U.S. partners with another country in market development. The National Pork Board’s board of directors and the USDA will be traveling to Colombia in January.

“Our embassy in Bogota is hosting a forum on sustainability between the National Pork Board and Pork Colombia, where we will share respectively how we strategically look at the topic, what our farmers are doing, and talk about what we could do together to better share the sustainability of pork as a protein,” Knupp says. “Because if that message helps with global pork consumption, that’s an opportunity for everybody.”

How Can the U.S. Maintain its Edge?

The U.S. dominates the import pork market in Colombia. Experts agree the U.S. is well-placed to maintain that dominance. Still, challenges exist from both domestic pork production and from international suppliers, especially Chile and Spain, seeking a home for their surplus production, Gira notes.

U.S. suppliers need to cultivate relationships, maintain efforts to educate both consumers and the profession, and guarantee that U.S. pork is the default representative for new demands such as sustainability, animal health and lifestyle choices, the report says.

Here are four things for the U.S. pork industry to consider to improve export opportunities in Colombia:

1. Modernization: Colombia is well on its way to creating a modern pork sector that threatens to reduce the space for imports, unless Colombian pork consumption continues to grow at a robust pace. The U.S. should look for ways to not only increase U.S. market share, but to further communicate to consumers that pork is a high-quality, nutritious protein that contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

2. Product Differentiation: Traders are looking for ways to signal higher quality in their meat, Gira explains, as well as linking pork to a healthy lifestyle. For example, U.S. ribs are already considered a quality product, this could be translated to all U.S. pork with branding.

3. Sustainability: Although this is a high priority for major Colombian players, Gira says consumers aren’t there yet. In the meantime, U.S. exporters need to find ways to communicate their standards and show that products are compliant.

4. Frozen pork quality: The need to “break the myth of frozen meat” and persuade the market that modern freezing and defrosting techniques make frozen pork a competitive match for fresh or chilled pork in most situations, Gira explains. At the same time, U.S. exporters should consider exploring the market for chilled pork as logistics bottlenecks ease.

The outlook is promising in Colombia, analysts agree.

“Colombia will continue to import pork, and the U.S. will always be the most secure source of those imports. But with a growing domestic sector and increasing international competition, U.S. pork should look for new ways to communicate with this market and look for new market niches and product opportunities to maintain its edge,” Gira advises.

Request a copy of the report on porkcheckoff.org.

Read more on Farm Journal’s PORK:

Colombia and Chile Offer Untapped Potential for U.S. Pork Industry

U.S. Beef and Pork Export Values Near $150 Million to Colombia

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 19:36:27 GMT

Demand for U.S. pork and beef exports in Colombia soar in 2022 with pork ahead of last year’s record pace by 10% , valued at $120 million, and beef exports are up 55% in volume and 78% in value ($26.3 million) over 2021, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) reports.

Colombia’s consumption of pork on a per capita basis is nearly 26 lbs. and their domestic industry simply cannot keep up, Don Mason, a USMEF representative says. The U.S pork exports have filled the hole in consumer demand, continuing to gain more market share in the country.

While the pork industry aims to fulfill demand, U.S. beef preference in Colombia has evolved in recent years.

“Our beef market used to be a lot of variety meats—liver, tripe, that sort of thing. In the past three or four years, we’ve seen more and more muscle cuts going in there. And then over the past two years, lots of ground beef, because there’s a hamburger craze in Colombia. Hamburger shops are popping up all over, and they love U.S product for their hamburgers,” Mason explains.

Despite inflation that challenges the spending habits of Colombian consumers, Mason explains meat demand has been resilient .

“I think this year looks pretty good for meat exports into Colombia. We’ve got aggressive, optimistic importers, and that’s one of the keys in these countries. Especially in Colombia, we have 20-25 importers who are very convinced that they can buy high quality U.S. product even at a higher price and sell it at a profit,” Mason notes.

The Butcher Shop, Colombia’s Essential Meat Market Asset

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 18:49:16 GMT

When restaurants closed during the pandemic, Colombian consumers looked to substitute high quality eating experiences at home.

With support from the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is partnering with many butcher shops in Colombia to improve the merchandising of U.S. meat.

“About 50% or more of the meat that comes into Colombia is sold through butcher shops owned by, or in a contractual arrangement with, some of our importers. The U.S. livestock industry delivers excellent quality, completely safe products right to the docks in Colombia,” said USMEF’s Colombia representative Don Mason.

Mason explains that USMEF efforts are focused on extending the quality and safety of the meat from the ports to the final customer. This includes helping Colombians understand that meat is frozen to guarantee a better-quality product, given the distribution network in the country, as well as how they should handle and defrost that meat properly.

USMEF has been involved in helping local butcher shops gain sales and encourage sustainability of these businesses. When restaurants were closed, “I saw barbeque grills popping up on balconies all over Bogota. Those folks wanted good quality meat to put on those barbecue grills,” Mason said.

By tiding over consumers during the pandemic, Mason hopes to see an increase in restaurant business and to the desire for high quality meat at home to be maintained.

Global Diseases Continue to Worry Pig Farmers

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:07:59 GMT

In Minne

According to the swine disease global surveillance report from the University of Minnesota and Swine Health Information Center, pig farmers continue to be plagued by multiple disease risks.

In a recent Porkbusiness.com poll, 36% of responding producers said a foreign animal disease outbreak was their biggest concern for 2019.

Read the updated disease summary, including African swine fever, foot and mouth disease and classical swine fever, with links to current coverage by Farm Journal’s PORK.