With one month of data still to be reported, U.S. pork exports to Mexico have already set an annual record for 2023. January-November exports to Mexico totaled more than 995,000 metric tons. That’s up 13 percent year-over-year, while value was 15 percent higher at $2.12 billion.
Mexico has long been a large destination for pork cuts such as bone-in hams and picnics. But U.S. pork loin is an emerging star in the market. With support from the National Pork Board and USDA’s Market Access Program and Quality Samples Program, the U.S. Meat Export Federation conducted a host of promotions in Mexico showcasing the loin.
These promotions have included mobile workshops using a U.S. Pork truck, says Lorenzo Elizalde, USMEF’s director of marketing and trade in Mexico.
“The U.S. pork truck has made a tremendous contribution to promote pork loin,” Elizalde says. “This year we have conducted around 150 samplings and tasting activities and over 50 activities involve recipes using pork loin.”
USMEF conducted these activities in 25 cities with 18 commercial partners. At the beginning of this year USMEF implemented the Pork Loin Quality Sample Program with a commercial partner located in Monterrey – CediCarnes.
Elizalde says new consumer products, including smoked pork loin and a chopped loin product used in tacos, have been important. These items found success in Walmart and City Club stores in Mexico, with USMEF conducting on-site tasting demonstrations using the U.S. Pork truck.
“New product development has been very important,” Elizalde says. “We believe that if we want to increase demand for pork loin, we need to develop new products.”
