U.S. Red Meat Promoted on Chilean Television in Advance of Major Food Show

Click the photo above to watch Jessica Julca’s segment on the Chilean TV program “Sabores”

Jessica Julca, USMEF representative in South America, appeared on the Chilean television program "Sabores" to promote U.S. beef and pork in advance of the Espacio Food & Service Show in Santiago.

Sabores, which is Spanish for “flavors,” is a daily morning television program that targets middle class households in the Santiago metropolitan area. Julca appeared on camera with Chef Álvaro Lois and network anchorwoman Natalie Chilet to explain the attributes of U.S. meat to the audience and point out that many U.S. beef and pork cuts are currently available at several supermarket chains in the region.

Julca noted that USMEF would have a presence at the Espacio Food & Service Show, which annually brings together food industry officials and representatives from around the country to learn about market conditions, products, services and technologies. A strong delegation of U.S. companies participated in the event, capitalizing on the opportunity to develop importer contacts and learn about Chilean consumer trends.

“On the television program, I mentioned that the companies joining USMEF at the Espacio show would like to learn about Chilean consumers’ preferences in order to offer them a selection of the wide variety of meat products produced in the U.S.,” said Julca.

The USMEF booth at the Espacio Food & Service Show featured samplings of U.S. beef and pork

At one point during the nine-minute segment, Chef Lois asked Julca about the difference between U.S. beef and beef available in the market from other countries.

“I explained a little bit about the genetics behind U.S. beef, as well as aging and marbling, and we also talked about proper preparation and cooking of U.S. beef and pork in order to have a better eating experience,” said Julca.

Julca also invited the television audience to visit the USMEF booth at the Espacio show and explained a prize giveaway featuring knife sets provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“That’s why on the clip of the program you will see the chef mention that the knives have the USDA seal,” said Julca. “He also explained the strict controls that the U.S. has in place to assure wholesomeness of its food products.”

USMEF’s booth at the Espacio show provided educational materials on U.S. beef and pork, along with preparation and cooking advice. U.S. product samples proved popular with the estimated 15,000 food industry professionals who attended the three-day event.

Chile, with a population of 17.5 million, is a leading South American destination for U.S. beef and pork, and its rising middle class offers great potential for future growth. According to USDA data, about 46 percent of Chileans lived in poverty 30 years ago. Today, that number is less than 14 percent.