US sees first chilled pork shipment to Colombia
On 30 July, 24,500kg of boneless sirloin entered Cartagena, to be used in the production of sausages.
According to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the first shipment came as a result of many years of negotiation under the US – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (US-CPTA), "and is part of a larger effort by the US pork industry to pursue worldwide market opportunities".
It said that industry predicted US chilled pork exports to the country could grow to $50m a year.
Joe Schuele, communications director at the US Meat Export Federation, told GlobalMeatNews that this development marked "an exciting breakthrough for the US pork industry, that was made possible by the US-CPTA".
"The ability to ship chilled product to Colombia enhances the growth potential of this relatively new market, which has already emerged as the largest destination for US pork in the Central/South America region," he said.
"Since the trade agreement came into force in May 2012, US pork exports to Colombia have grown dramatically. In 2012, exports increased more than 70% in volume to 19,755 metric tons (MT), and more than 85% in value to $54.1 million.
"Last year pork exports totalled 34,099MT, valued at $88.1m. Through the first half of 2014, exports are up another 83% in volume and have nearly doubled in value over last year’s pace," continued Schuele.
