USMEF-Mexico Partners with Costco to Boost U.S. Beef, Pork Performance
USMEF-Mexico Partners with Costco to Boost U.S. Beef, Pork Performance
Responding to a continuing economic slump that has driven down sales of several proteins over the past year, USMEF-Mexico has partnered with Mexico’s Costco stores to help the retail chain promote U.S. beef and pork more effectively.
While beef sales have been down across Mexico this year, exports of U.S. pork to the No. 1 U.S. foreign pork market are up 42 percent in volume and 23 percent in value for the first seven months of 2009 versus 2008.
“U.S. beef exports to Mexico have slowed recently due to the deep economic recession and the devalued peso,” said Chad Russell, regional director for USMEF in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. “And while U.S. pork exports to Mexico have been outstanding this year, we know it’s never been more important to have effective marketing efforts in place.”
In an effort to help Costco sell more U.S. pork and beef to its customers in this difficult economic climate, USMEF designed a seminar to equip Costco personnel with the knowledge and confidence to more effectively promote these products, especially to its business customers who have been hit hard by the recession. The event was held earlier this month at the Ambrosia Culinary Center in Mexico City. Participants included Costco Perishables Director Carlos Mora, Costco Meat Buyer Luis Galindo and 35 wholesale managers from 32 Costco stores.
Dr. Tony Mata performs a beef cutting demonstration for Costco personnel in Mexico
USMEF dietician Georgina Gomez spoke to the group about the nutritional attributes of U.S. beef and pork and the importance of including meat in a daily diet. Dr. Tony Mata’s presentation included a cutting demonstration and introduction of several new cuts. He also offered effective selling points to use when communicating with Costco shoppers.
Mexico is currently the largest export market for U.S. beef and beef variety meats, importing 180,350 metric tons (397.6 million pounds) worth $570.7 million through July 2009. Mexico has also been the largest volume market for U.S. pork and pork variety meats this year, with imports of 287,687 metric tons (634.2 million pounds) valued at $426.5 million.
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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 and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
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-Mexico Partners with Costco to Boost U.S. Beef, Pork Performance
Responding to a continuing economic slump that has driven down sales of several proteins over the past year, USMEF-Mexico has partnered with Mexico’s Costco stores to help the retail chain promote U.S. beef and pork more effectively.
While beef sales have been down across Mexico this year, exports of U.S. pork to the No. 1 U.S. foreign pork market are up 42 percent in volume and 23 percent in value for the first seven months of 2009 versus 2008.
“U.S. beef exports to Mexico have slowed recently due to the deep economic recession and the devalued peso,” said Chad Russell, regional director for USMEF in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. “And while U.S. pork exports to Mexico have been outstanding this year, we know it’s never been more important to have effective marketing efforts in place.”
In an effort to help Costco sell more U.S. pork and beef to its customers in this difficult economic climate, USMEF designed a seminar to equip Costco personnel with the knowledge and confidence to more effectively promote these products, especially to its business customers who have been hit hard by the recession. The event was held earlier this month at the Ambrosia Culinary Center in Mexico City. Participants included Costco Perishables Director Carlos Mora, Costco Meat Buyer Luis Galindo and 35 wholesale managers from 32 Costco stores.
Dr. Tony Mata performs a beef cutting demonstration for Costco personnel in Mexico
USMEF dietician Georgina Gomez spoke to the group about the nutritional attributes of U.S. beef and pork and the importance of including meat in a daily diet. Dr. Tony Mata’s presentation included a cutting demonstration and introduction of several new cuts. He also offered effective selling points to use when communicating with Costco shoppers.
Mexico is currently the largest export market for U.S. beef and beef variety meats, importing 180,350 metric tons (397.6 million pounds) worth $570.7 million through July 2009. Mexico has also been the largest volume market for U.S. pork and pork variety meats this year, with imports of 287,687 metric tons (634.2 million pounds) valued at $426.5 million.
# # #
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 and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
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.