Audio: Training Sessions Help Grow Retail Presence of U.S. Pork, Beef in Peru

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Technical Services Manager Cheyenne Dixon is in Lima, Peru, this week to conduct training sessions for two local supermarket chains and an association of importers whose members distribute meat to Peruvian retailers.

Peru is well-established as a reliable destination for U.S. meat used in further processing. But in recent years, the rapid growth and modernization of Peru’s supermarket sector has created more opportunities for the U.S. industry to market U.S. beef and pork cuts in retail settings that allow for effective merchandising and product differentiation. During this week’s training sessions, Dixon will be working with these businesses on cold chain management and other food safety principles that help ensure product quality throughout the distribution process.

Last year U.S. beef exports to Peru totaled 17,352 metric tons valued at $32.8 million, making it the eighth-largest volume destination for U.S. beef and 13th-largest in export value. U.S. pork is just beginning to gain traction in Peru, but last year exports more than doubled over 2012 – reaching 2,279 metric tons valued at $5.6 million.

TRANSCRIPT:

Joe Schuele: In this U.S. Meat Export Federation Report, we speak with USMEF Technical Services Manager Cheyenne Dixon. She is in Lima, Peru this week to conduct training sessions for two local super market chains, and an association of importers who distribute meat to Peruvian retailers. Peru is well-established as a reliable destination for U.S. Meat used in further processing, but the rapid growth and modernization of Peru’s super market sector has created more opportunities for the industry to market U.S. beef and pork cuts in a retail setting that allows for effective merchandising and product differentiation.

Cheyenne Dixon: Yes, processing is a big part of the product that we are sending down there, but as we continue to break our access into the retail side, where traditionally they are getting a lot of product from other South American countries, we can really differentiate ourselves with our grain-fed product. I think as we increase that taste demand we will see an increase in retail case presence. So we will be meeting with 3 different retail organizations in Lima Peru, anticipating having approximately 30-40 employees in each session. What this will entail is a two-hour presentation covering cold chain management and food safety principles, not only at the retail facilities but going back to the distribution centers and warehouses.

Joe Schuele: In addition to the training sessions, Dixon will be making on-site visits to advise these businesses on practices that can help ensure product quality throughout the distribution process.

Cheyenne Dixon: We will be able to tour a couple facilities within each company. Really looking at what they are doing well, and things that we think that they can improve on, and obviously this would benefit all products they are selling not only U.S. product, but we look at this as capacity-building exercise to try and increase our relationships with these organizations as we continue to increase the amount of U.S. product that we put in the retail meat cases.

Joe Schuele: For more on this and other trade issues please visit USMEF.org. For the U.S. Meat Export Federation, I’m Joe Schuele.