U.S. pork exports to Central America set record high last year: USMEF

U.S. pork exports to Central America set a new record last year and remain high so far in 2021, the U.S. Meat Export Federation said.

Through February, exports to the region increased 46% from a year ago to nearly 22,000 metric tons, valued at more than $53 million, up 38%. February exports to Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica were record-high, while exports to Honduras were the fourth highest on record.

The pandemic caused significant changes in pork sales channels and consumption due to restrictions in the food service and hospitality sectors, said Lucia Ruano, USMEF representative in Central America and the Dominican Republic. These changes included the establishment of many meat boutiques where shoppers could purchase U.S. pork cuts for at-home preparation.

Tariff relief in the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement is now more widespread in the region, Ruano said, making U.S. pork more affordable in countries such as Costa Rica. Domestic pork production in Honduras experienced setbacks due to recent hurricanes.