USMEF Partners with Butcher Shops in Colombia to Improve Merchandising of U.S. Pork and Beef

Colombia is a robust market for U.S. pork and beef, much of which is sold through butcher shops owned by or affiliated with meat importers. With support from the USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, the National Pork Board and the Beef Checkoff Program, USMEF is partnering with many of these shops to improve and expand the merchandising of U.S. red meat.

In the attached audio report, USMEF Colombia representative Don Mason explains that one important aspect of the butcher shop program is to educate shop operators about the quality and safety of U.S. red meat and to help them address customers' concerns about purchasing frozen cuts.

Mason adds that the program took on particular importance as Colombia was emerging from COVID-related restrictions. Consumer interest in high-quality meat to prepare at home, which increased greatly during the pandemic, continues to be strong even as Colombia's restaurant traffic rebounds.

USMEF reports that 26 butcher shops are currently participating in the program, with many more locations targeted for potential partnerships.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA; the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs, as well as its members representing nine industry sectors: beef/veal producing & feeding, pork producing & feeding, lamb producing & feeding, packing & processing, purveying & trading, oilseeds producing, feedgrains producing, farm organizations and supply & service organizations. USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law. USMEF is an equal opportunity employer and provider.