CARTAGENA, Colombia (RFD News) — American beef and pork producers are finding new opportunities in Colombia as butcher shops across the country continue expanding their use of U.S. red meat products.
The effort is part of a program led by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) with support from USDA, the National Pork Board, and the Beef Checkoff Program.
The initiative works directly with Colombian butcher shops to improve merchandising, product handling, and customer education surrounding U.S. beef and pork.
Former USMEF Colombia representative Don Mason says the program was designed to build on relationships many importers already had with local butcher shops.
“So we realize that that was an area where we could do a little focus and kind of up the game, if you will, in terms of the way they are presenting their product and the way they were handling the product,” Mason explained.
USMEF evaluated several areas at participating butcher shops and provided support on regulatory and sanitary compliance.
The organization also developed educational programs to train butchers on U.S. red meat products, helping them communicate more effectively with customers. Industry leaders say the program has been widely embraced because of the value it provides both retailers and consumers.
In Colombia, those efforts are helping create more informed customers while also expanding opportunities for U.S. beef and pork producers in the export market.
Colombia currently ranks tenth among destinations for U.S. agricultural exports. In 2022, the total value of U.S. exports to the country reached $3.7 billion.
All month long, RFD News is highlighting beef producers who help feed families across the country and around the world. To find more stories and recipes that celebrate beef, CLICK HERE: May is National Beef Month!
