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US working to increase demand for pork loin in Mexico

U.S. pork exports to Mexico have already set an annual record. 

Lorenzo Elizalde with the US Meat Export Federation says pork cuts like bone-in hams and picnics have always been popular in Mexico, but work is being done to improve demand for the loin.  “Pork loin was distributed among the customers of CediCarnes,” he says. “And also we used the pork truck to conduct tasting demonstrations with all the customers of CediCarnes that participated in the workshop.”

He says new product development is critical to demand growth. “This year we developed two new products – chuleta ahumada, which is smoked loin, and also chuleta taquera,” he says. “This is a chopped loin that is used for tacos. These products have been pretty successful.”

January to November exports totaled more than 995,000 metric tons, valued at $2.12 billion.  That’s a 13 percent increase in volume and a 15% increase in value. 

Elizalde says USMEF has also had support from the National Pork Board and the USDA’s Market Access Program and Quality Samples Program to promote the loin in Mexico.