Red Meat Symposium: USMEF hosts inaugural symposium focused on Mexican market

With U.S. red meat exports reaching record levels across the nation’s southern border, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Beef Checkoff and the National Pork Board, held the first-ever U.S. Red Meat Symposium in Mexico City, Mexico on June 13-14. 

According to USMEF, the symposium brought U.S. red meat suppliers and Mexican importers together to examine Mexico’s economic and political climate, highlight the market’s growth potential and explore emerging opportunities.

Twenty-five American companies attended, exhibiting and sampling their various products, while individuals from the Mayan Riviera to Tijuana, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico also made an appearance. 

“Mexico is a very important customer for us, especially with its potential for undervalued cuts,” says USMEF Chair and Minnesota Pork Producer Randy Spronk. “The turnout for this symposium was outstanding. We even had to limit the number of importers who could attend. I expect it will become a recurring event for the industry.” 

Symposium highlights

USMEF notes one of the most important components of the symposium were the face-to-face networking opportunities available for U.S. suppliers and Mexican importers. 

The program also featured notable speakers who discussed trade relations between the two nations, Mexico’s agricultural production and digital trends in the meat industry. Speakers included Spronk, USMEF President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Halstrom, USMEF Mexico Director Gerardo Rodriguez and John Slette, director of the USDA’s Agricultural Trade Office in Mexico. 

During his presentation, Spronk notes the symposium proved the importance of the Mexican market to all sectors of U.S. agriculture and sent a meaningful message to America’s southern neighbor. 

“We are standing on top of not only a year’s worth – but a decade’s worth – of work to grow the market in Mexico for U.S. beef, pork and lamb,” he says. “And, I think this is a culmination where we realize the importance of Mexico for U.S. producers, not only on the red meat side of things but also for corn and soybean producers.” 

Halstrom points out although some people have been quick to label Mexico a mature market, he believes there are a lot of opportunities and growth still on the horizon. 

“It’s only mature in a sense we’ve been doing business here for more than 40 years as an industry. However, the market is anything but mature. There are all sorts of subsectors in development, and one we don’t often talk about is the convenience store sector,” he says. “OXXO chain has 22,000 outlets here, and they are starting to use beef and pork products in different concepts in their stores.”

“Yes, it’s a large market. It’s a historical market. But, it is by no means a fully-evolved market,” he adds. 

Red meat exports 

According to the latest data released by the USDA and compiled by USMEF, beef exports totaled 110,133 metric tons (mt), down five percent from a year ago but the second largest of 2024, reaching a total value of $902.4 million, three percent higher than last year and the highest since June 2023. 

Although Japan remains the leading destination for U.S. beef – just under 21,000 mt, up nine percent from a year ago and totaling $164.1 million, up 20 percent – demand in Mexico has continued to gain momentum. 

In fact, May exports to Mexico increased nine percent from 2023 to 18,793 mt, valued at $109.8 million, which is up 17 percent from the year prior. 

“Through May, exports to Mexico increased 17 percent to 96,323 mt, while value soared 23 percent to $564 million,” USMEF explains. “This included more than 50,000 mt of beef variety meat, up 19 percent from a year ago, valued at $136.6 million, up 13 percent”

“Mexico is the largest volume destination for U.S. beef variety meat, taking large volumes of tripe, lips, livers, hearts and kidneys,” USMEF continues.

Although Mexican pork exports slowed in May, following record-large shipments in April, value increased and 2024 demand remains on record pace, according to USMEF. 

As the leading destination for U.S. pork, May exports to Mexico totaled 91,338 mt, down six percent from a year ago, with a value of $201.9 million, up two percent. 

January to May exports to Mexico reached 480,193 mt, up seven percent from a year ago, while value increased 14 percent to $1.02 billion. 

“While Mexico continues to shine as a destination for hams and other pork cuts for further processing, the U.S. industry has made impressive inroads in the country’s rapidly growing retail and foodservice sectors, with per-capita pork consumption continuing to expand,” says USMEF. “Mexico is also a major outlet for U.S. pork variety meat, including for taco applications.”

Additionally, May exports of American lamb totaled 251 mt, up 78 percent from 2023, while export value was up 66 percent to 41.3 million. 

For January through May, lamb exports were up 11 percent to 1,294 mt, while value was up 25 percent to $7.2 million. 

USMEF notes export growth was mostly driven by the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.