Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/26/10

A recovering economy in Mexico bodes well for exports of U.S. beef and pork in 2010, according to Chad Russell, the U.S. Meat Export Federation's regional director for Mexico.

Evidence of a rebound includes strong results from 2009 despite a 7 percent dip in Mexico's economy and the impacts of the H1N1 outbreak last spring. Mexico still will finish the year as the leading volume and value market for U.S. beef exports and the top volume destination for U.S. pork.

"We do believe the economic conditions and circumstances in Mexico will provide a stronger foundation for us to do our work down here and try to build demand for beef and pork," Russell said.

He added that favorable market access and excellent consumer acceptance of U.S. meat products should foster further growth of U.S. exports.

"Unlike many other foreign markets, country-of-origin labeling is not required [in Mexico]," Russell said. "We strongly believe, and our market research has told us, that if consumers recognize product as being from the United States that they in fact will buy more of it. They like U.S. products and have confidence in the quality and safety of U.S. meats."

Among USMEF's current marketing initiatives in Mexico is an effort to differentiate U.S. beef and pork at retail, using recipes and other materials to draw interest at the meat case.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.