Colorado Trade Delegation Visits No. 1 Destination for U.S. Red Meat

A trade delegation headed by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar visited Mexico this week, with one major focus being red meat trade. The group received information on USMEF marketing programs for U.S. beef, pork and lamb, as well as ongoing efforts to maintain smooth access to the market and cultivate key business relationships.

USMEF member organizations were well-represented in the Colorado delegation, which included Colorado Corn, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Beef Council and JBS USA. The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee, Western Dairy Association and ConAgra Foods were also represented.

The delegation’s itinerary included a meeting with SENASICA, Mexico’s federal food safety and inspection service. They also visited with executives at Costco and Walmart, as well as Mexico City-based food wholesaler Central de Abastos and Grupo Bimbo, a large baking company.

“It was a pleasure meeting with the Colorado delegation and helping them understand the importance of this market to U.S. meat exports,” said USMEF Regional Director Chad Russell. “Experiencing the market firsthand always gives public officials and agricultural leaders a greater appreciation for the magnitude of the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship. It’s really a vital market for many companies from Colorado and across the United States.”

In 2011, Mexico was the largest volume destination for U.S. beef, pork and lamb, totaling more than 800,000 metric tons (1.76 billion pounds) valued at $2.04 billion. It became the second market ever to import more than $1 billion in U.S. pork in a single year ($1.041 billion) and nearly reached the $1 billion market for U.S. beef as well ($985.3 million). Lamb export value totaled $13.4 million, up 58 percent from 2010.