Mexican delegation to explore pork supply chain
4th Jul 2019 / By Alistair Driver
A Mexican delegation will get a first-hand insight into the UK pork industry during a visit organised to promote UK pork.
The six-day mission, which will begin this weekend, has been organised by AHDB, with support from the Department for International Trade (DIT) in Mexico. During the visit, representatives from the Mexican livestock industry will tour farms, processors, supermarkets and a leading pig farming and genetics specialist.
The programme will include a day at the Great Yorkshire Show, one of the biggest agricultural events in the English calendar, where the group will have an opportunity to meet with several stakeholders from the farming sector.
Among the delegation are vets from the state of Jalisco, an important retailer from the north of the country and Mexican media – who will all get a chance to see first-hand the entire pork production process from farm to fork.
The NPA's Ed Barker is due to meet the delegation next Thursday to give an overview of the UK pork industry.
AHDB Senior Export Manager Susana Morris said the visit presents an 'incredible opportunity' to showcase UK pork to influential industry experts in the Mexican market.
“This is a fantastic chance to highlight the quality of our product and underline our high animal welfare, strict control of antibiotic use, world-leading assurance schemes and, of course, the exceptional taste and texture of our pork," she said.
“As well as visiting retailers and farms, we will also provide an overview of our work in genetics for breeding purposes and exchange best practices with our visitors.
“Mexico is a significant market for our pork trade and we are in progressive discussions with the Mexican authorities regarding market access for pork. Last year, the country imported almost a million tonnes of pig meat, excluding offal – with the lion’s share coming from the US.”
Susana Morris has worked closely with DIT Mexico since 2018, with the aim of diversifying the market, promoting UK pork and warming up the interest of companies for the future opening of the market.