Among the driving factors of growth in U.S. pork exports has been the resurgence of sales this year in Mexico. What’s equally exciting is this market still holds much potential for increased sales, reports MeatPoultry.com. U.S. pork exports to Mexico slowed somewhat in 2007 due to heavy supplies of domestic Mexican pork that were available in that market.
According to Mexico City-based Chad Russell, the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s regional director for Mexico and the Dominican Republic. But the conditions have since changed, and U.S. pork producers are capitalizing on an important growth opportunity. So far this year, pork exports to Mexico have increased about 17%, as the industry strives to recapture the record levels achieved in this market back in 2006.
"There was a large liquidation last year, particularly among the smaller and medium-sized producers," Russell said. "That was one of the reasons our exports last year were down because there was an excess supply of domestic Mexican pork in the marketplace. But that inventory has been worked off. So there is less domestic product in Mexico and there’s a need to import — particularly to large processors who have large facilities. They need raw ingredients to keep their operations running so they’re turning to U.S. pork."
Although Mexico is a price-sensitive market, it remains a promising region for further growth, Russell said. Already the largest importer of U.S. beef, Mexico is now the third-largest export market for U.S. pork and second-largest market for pork variety meats.
Source:
USAgNet – 08/07/2008