More than 60 pork producers from nine Latin American countries are hearing from leading industry experts and engaging with U.S. grain procurement processes in an eight-session online program led by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC).
“The pork sector in the region has been growing considerably in recent years, sometimes surpassing growth in the poultry sector for some countries,” said Carlos Maya, USGC Latin America regional representative, who previously led the Colombian Pork Producers Association. “This is true even in the 2020 pandemic year when, despite the difficulties caused by the restrictions imposed to control COVID-19, which had an initial adverse effect over pork consumption, pork producers in the region had a positive year in countries like Colombia, Chile, Honduras and Peru.”
During the 2019/2020 marketing year, the Latin America and Caribbean region accounted for 24 percent of total U.S. corn exports (11 MMT or 434 million bushels). For many countries in the region, the poultry sector is the largest share of feed grains imports and consumption.
However, the pork sector is expanding, and Latin American pork producers are eager to engage in the feed production process and procurement of feed grains. By partnering with pork producers and their industry associations, the Council supports and promotes continuing development of the industry and future sector growth utilizing U.S. corn.
Course programming includes sessions on the U.S. export system, export logistics, grain and co-product procurement, risk management, the purchasing experience, importer requirements, bulk vessel shipping ports and country-specific customization for participants. Participating countries included Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Peru.
“Even though the Council will continue working with the broiler and layer producers and their associations, this program allows us to reinforce our engagement with the thriving pork sector as well,” Maya said.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.