Strong Turnout for First USMEF Central/South America Product Showcase
Published: Jul 29, 2011
An enthusiastic group of 75 red meat buyers from throughout Central and South America mingled with 18 U.S. exporters this week for a first-of-its-kind product showcase held in Panama City. The event was supported with beef checkoff funding from both the Nebraska Beef Council and the national Beef Checkoff Program, the Pork Checkoff and the United Soybean Board.
“The feedback that we’re getting from participants is extremely positive,” said Craig Uden, Nebraska Beef Council chairman from Elwood, Neb. “I was very impressed both with the number of customers from this region as well as the senior level of decision-makers from these companies. With companies such as Walmart-Chile represented here along with smaller local retailers, it was a very diverse base of customer interest."
“The feedback that we’re getting from participants is extremely positive,” said Craig Uden, Nebraska Beef Council chairman from Elwood, Neb. “I was very impressed both with the number of customers from this region as well as the senior level of decision-makers from these companies. With companies such as Walmart-Chile represented here along with smaller local retailers, it was a very diverse base of customer interest."
The two-day program attracted buyers from Panama, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Columbia, Chile, Peru and the Dominican Republic to introduce them to high-quality U.S. beef and pork products.
“Our main goals were to give our members a chance to see the market firsthand, meet with importers and see the growing opportunities in Central and South America,” said Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF regional director of trade development.
“Our main goals were to give our members a chance to see the market firsthand, meet with importers and see the growing opportunities in Central and South America,” said Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF regional director of trade development.
“While we’re hopeful that free trade agreements with Panama and Colombia will be signed soon, USMEF isn’t waiting for that,” said Rodriguez. “We’re already in the market and we know the players, so we’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunity if and when the FTAs are approved.”
The region covered by the product showcase is a booming one for U.S. beef and pork exports. Through May, U.S. pork exports have exceeded last year’s record pace by 17 percent in volume (more than 65 million pounds) and 30 percent in value ($73.3 million). Beef exports have jumped 50 percent in volume to nearly 23 million pounds valued at $29.4 million – an 80 percent increase.
The region covered by the product showcase is a booming one for U.S. beef and pork exports. Through May, U.S. pork exports have exceeded last year’s record pace by 17 percent in volume (more than 65 million pounds) and 30 percent in value ($73.3 million). Beef exports have jumped 50 percent in volume to nearly 23 million pounds valued at $29.4 million – an 80 percent increase.
"The showcase participants were very excited and enthusiastic about the growth of this market and the potential for U.S. beef and pork,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF senior vice president of global marketing. “What they saw here was a large contingent of buyers who weren’t just window-shopping. They came here to buy, and we expect this event will lead to new business relationships and new sales of U.S. red meat.”