Shoppers Drawn to U.S. Pork Cooking Sessions in Dominican Republic
Published: Feb 11, 2011
USMEF recently organized a series of U.S. pork cooking sessions at Centro Cuesta Nacional supermarkets in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic's capital and largest city, with a metropolitan population of more than 2.3 million – which is about one-fourth of the nation's total. The cooking demonstrations were made possible through the USDA Market Access Program (MAP).
This was the first time USMEF has partnered with Centro Cuesta Nacional, the leading grocery chain in the Dominican Republic, for an in-store pork promotion. Its family of supermarkets includes 11 Nacional supermarkets and five Jumbo/Jumbo Express stores. Each USMEF cooking station was manned by a chef preparing U.S. pork recipes tailored to the local cuisine. The chefs provided customers with samples and information outlining the positive attributes of U.S. pork. USMEF dieticians were also on hand to share nutritional information and highlight the benefits of including U.S. pork in a balanced diet.
This was the first time USMEF has partnered with Centro Cuesta Nacional, the leading grocery chain in the Dominican Republic, for an in-store pork promotion. Its family of supermarkets includes 11 Nacional supermarkets and five Jumbo/Jumbo Express stores. Each USMEF cooking station was manned by a chef preparing U.S. pork recipes tailored to the local cuisine. The chefs provided customers with samples and information outlining the positive attributes of U.S. pork. USMEF dieticians were also on hand to share nutritional information and highlight the benefits of including U.S. pork in a balanced diet.
More than 3,000 customer contacts were established at the 13 four-hour pork cooking sessions. U.S. pork sales during the promotional activities ran almost 20 percent above their normal pace.
“We have achieved solid growth in U.S. pork sales in the Dominican Republic over the past year, especially in terms of value,” said Chad Russell, USMEF regional director for Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic. “But we feel there is great potential for additional growth, and the modern supermarkets operated by Centro Cuesta Nacional are an ideal venue for highlighting and differentiating our high-quality pork cuts.”
Last year's pork exports to the Dominican Republic (including variety meat) totaled 18,797 metric tons (41.44 million pounds) valued at $38 million – an increase of 12 percent in value over 2009.
USMEF recently organized a series of U.S. pork cooking sessions at Centro Cuesta Nacional supermarkets in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic’s capital and largest city, with a metropolitan population of more than 2.3 million – which is about one-fourth of the nation’s total. The cooking demonstrations were made possible through the USDA Market Access Program (MAP).
This was the first time USMEF has partnered with Centro Cuesta Nacional, the leading grocery chain in the Dominican Republic, for an in-store pork promotion. Its family of supermarkets includes 11 Nacional supermarkets and five Jumbo/Jumbo Express stores. Each USMEF cooking station was manned by a chef preparing U.S. pork recipes tailored to the local cuisine. The chefs provided customers with samples and information outlining the positive attributes of U.S. pork. USMEF dieticians were also on hand to share nutritional information and highlight the benefits of including U.S. pork in a balanced diet.
This was the first time USMEF has partnered with Centro Cuesta Nacional, the leading grocery chain in the Dominican Republic, for an in-store pork promotion. Its family of supermarkets includes 11 Nacional supermarkets and five Jumbo/Jumbo Express stores. Each USMEF cooking station was manned by a chef preparing U.S. pork recipes tailored to the local cuisine. The chefs provided customers with samples and information outlining the positive attributes of U.S. pork. USMEF dieticians were also on hand to share nutritional information and highlight the benefits of including U.S. pork in a balanced diet.
More than 3,000 customer contacts were established at the 13 four-hour pork cooking sessions. U.S. pork sales during the promotional activities ran almost 20 percent above their normal pace.
“We have achieved solid growth in U.S. pork sales in the Dominican Republic over the past year, especially in terms of value,” said Chad Russell, USMEF regional director for Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic. “But we feel there is great potential for additional growth, and the modern supermarkets operated by Centro Cuesta Nacional are an ideal venue for highlighting and differentiating our high-quality pork cuts.”
Last year’s pork exports to the Dominican Republic (including variety meat) totaled 18,797 metric tons (41.44 million pounds) valued at $38 million – an increase of 12 percent in value over 2009.