Audio: Meat Showcase in Panama City Seeks to Capitalize on Emerging Markets
Published: Jul 21, 2011
(USMEF) is holding a two-day pork and beef showcase in Panama City July 27-28. As USMEF Regional Director of Trade Development Gerardo Rodriguez explains, exporter interest in this event is very strong due to the rapidly growing sales opportunities in the region and the impressive lineup of buyers that will be in attendance. In addition to Panama, buyers are expected from Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Colombia, Chile, Peru and the Dominican Republic.
Rodriguez notes that opportunities have recently expanded in several of these markets because free trade agreements have reduced tariffs and other trade barriers. Similar developments are expected in Panama and Colombia when pending free trade agreements with those countries are ratified by Congress.
Exports of both U.S. pork and U.S. beef set new records in the Central/South America region last year, and haven’t skipped a beat in 2011. 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) and 80 percent in value ($29.4 million).
Rodriguez notes that opportunities have recently expanded in several of these markets because free trade agreements have reduced tariffs and other trade barriers. Similar developments are expected in Panama and Colombia when pending free trade agreements with those countries are ratified by Congress.
Exports of both U.S. pork and U.S. beef set new records in the Central/South America region last year, and haven’t skipped a beat in 2011. 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) and 80 percent in value ($29.4 million).