A team of livestock and grain producers recently traveled with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to Monterrey, Mexico, for a firsthand look at market conditions and to participate in the Expo Carnes trade show. The group also visited a broad array of retail outlets featuring U.S. beef, pork and lamb, ranging from traditional markets to Costco, as well as high-end grocery stores and butcher shops.
Audio PlayerFor David Hardin, a corn, soybean and pork producer from Indiana, the interactions showed that while Mexico is a well-developed market, there is still potential for growth, particularly for higher value products.
Matthew Lucas, also a grain and pork producer from Indiana, says the trip gave him a close-up view of the growing competition in Mexico and the work USMEF does to defend the U.S. industry’s hard-earned position as the market’s leading red meat supplier.
Held every other year in Monterrey, Expo Carnes is the largest red meat trade show in Latin America. In addition to hosting a pavilion of U.S. exporters inside the show, USMEF also conducts large grilling demonstrations outside the show’s entrance, featuring the USMEF mobile grill truck.
Mexico was the leading destination for U.S. pork in 2024 at a record-setting 1.15 million metric tons, valued at $2.6 billion. Beef exports to Mexico climbed 13% in value to $1.35 billion in 2024, with volume up 10% at 232,488 metric tons.
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