Pork Industry Leaders Get Firsthand Look at Mexican Market

Pork Leadership Institute participants tour a wet market in Mexico City

Last week, 20 pork producers and staff from the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council traveled to Mexico City as part of the Pork Leadership Institute (PLI), a program dedicated to the development of pork industry leaders.

Each year, pork industry leaders are selected from pork producing states to participate in PLI. The group meets several times throughout the year to discuss pork industry issues and learn about new trends in pork markets.

At the Mexico City PLI gathering, members learned that U.S. pork exports to Mexico are on pace to reach a record volume for the fourth consecutive year. Annual per capita pork consumption in Mexico continues to increase and is currently 37 pounds per person.

In Mexico, attendees got a firsthand look at its domestic pork industry. The group learned about public policy, toured a traditional Mexican wet market and visited a pork processing plant.

Meanwhile, USMEF continues its work promoting U.S. pork in the Mexico market by conducting educational seminars and trainings.

“Mexico is showing no sign of losing its appetite for high-quality U.S. pork, including hams, picnics and variety meat,” said John Hinners, USMEF assistant vice president for industry relations. “One of our key strategies in the Mexican market is to continue to work with buyers and further processors in an effort to reinforce long-term purchasing loyalty from U.S. suppliers.”