U.S. Pork Exports to Central America Soar to New Heights

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 22:53:11 GMT

U.S. pork exports to Central America were record-large in 2024, breaking previous highs in both volume and value, the according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Lucia Ruano, USMEF representative in the region, says consumer education programs have helped position U.S. pork as a high-quality, center-of-the-plate protein. These efforts are supported by USDA and the National Pork Board.

“We are trying to improve pork’s image as a very good protein with a lot of nutrients, easy to handle, versatility, delicious flavor,” Ruano says.

Ruano notes consumers are seeing pork available in retail stores, including all the cuts from the loin like the cowboy, ribeye and strip loin.

“All of these cuts that we have from the loin are not only affordable, but they have a very good flavor if you cook them and handle them in the correct way,” she adds.

The record performance for U.S. pork was achieved despite some obstacles in Panama, which has imposed a cap on pork imports that is inconsistent with its obligations under the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. Ruano says this has frustrated importers and led to some product shortages, including pork ribs sought by restaurant chains, according to USMEF.

However, countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica have zero tariffs since they are part of the Central America-Dominican Republic-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), giving U.S. pork full access.

In 2024, pork exports to Central America increased 21% year-over-year, reaching 166,000 metric tons. Export value climbed 29% to $523 million.

Latin American Meat Buyers Attend Processing Seminar and Tour Nebraska Meat Lab

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 18:43:11 GMT

The U.S. Meat Export Federation recently brought importers from Mexico and Central and South America to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a global meat processing seminar. The event was supported by the National Corn Growers Association and the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff. Participants had an opportunity to meet with industry leaders, including USMEF Secretary/ Treasurer Dave Bruntz, a farmer and cattle feeder from Friend, Neb.

The attendees were invited to learn about the U.S. beef and pork industries. They also examined meat and livestock production trends, new techniques for processing, packaging and merchandising, and safeguards for ensuring product safety.

“It’s good to make these relationships,” Bruntz says. “Most of these countries represented here are from Mexico down through Central America - good trading partners. You know, if we can’t trade with our neighbors, who are we got to trade with? Glad to have them here on the University of Nebraska campus.”

In addition to classroom instruction, the buyer teams also took to the meat lab to explore new product development ideas. This was a highlight for Columbian importer Valery Ways.

“We had a workshop where we were presented a problem and we had to develop a strategy and a solution right there and then and get to work,” Ways says. “So the part that I enjoyed the most, was the workshop, and that really broadened my mind to see what else we can invent, what else we can create to better our customer experience and to better our business as well.”

The delegation also made retail visits and toured processing plants operated by Certified Piedmontese and Wholestone Prestage. Chilean importer Jose Manuel Jarpa was already a Wholestone Prestage customer, but says the plant tour solidified his confidence in their products.

“We purchased some containers of spareribs from Wholestone like in January this year,” Jarpa says. “We thought that the product was spectacular. It stood for our business like 100%, so today in the visit, I am amazed about this plant. Like this facility is awesome. The people working here, the quality of the products, they really have the whole package. So I’m very confident that this commercial relationship with Wholestone through USMEF is going to be long term, and we are really happy that we can work with them.”

Buyers also attended from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.