Producer Team Explores Mexico Market at Expo Carnes
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A team of livestock and grain producers recently traveled with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to Monterrey, Mexico for the Expo Carnes trade show. The group also visited a broad array of retail featuring U.S. beef, pork and lamb ranging from traditional markets to Costco and high-end grocery stores and butcher shops.
For David Hardin, a corn, soybean and pork producer from Indiana, the interactions showed that while Mexico is a well-developed market, there is still potential for growth, particularly for higher value products.
Matthew Lucas, also a grain and pork producer from Indiana, says the trip gave him a close up view of the work USMEF does to build and defend key export markets for U.S. red meat.
Expo Carnes is the largest red meat trade show in Latin America. It is held every other year in Monterrey. In addition to hosting a pavilion of U.S. exporters inside the show, USMEF also hosts large grilling demonstrations outside at the show’s entrance featuring the USMEF mobile grill truck.
Mexico was the leading destination for U.S. pork in 2024 at a record-setting 1,154,989 mt worth $2.6 billion. Beef exports to Mexico were up 13% on a value of $1.3 billion in 2024, with volume up 10% at 232,488 mt.