DENVER — With one month of data not yet reported, the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced that US pork exports to Mexico have already achieved an annual record for 2023. January through November pork exports to Mexico totaled over 995,000 tonnes, up 13% from the previous year, while value was 15% higher at $2.12 billion.

Mexico has historically been a major destination for pork cuts like bone-in hams and picnics, but USMEF reported that pork loin has become “an emerging star” in the market.

USMEF, along with the National Pork Board and USDA’s Market Access Program and Quality Samples Program, has conducted several promotional activities in Mexico showcasing pork loins.

One recent activity consisted of mobile workshops using a US Pork truck and a program that provided pork loin samples to major customers of Mexican distributor CediCarnes.

“The US Pork truck has made a tremendous contribution to promote pork loin,” said Lorenzo Elizalde, USMEF’s director of marketing and trade in Mexico. “This year we have conducted around 150 samplings and tasting activities, and over 50 activities involve recipes using pork loin. These activities have been conducted in 25 cities with 18 commercial partners.”

Elizalde added that new product development has played an important role in promoting pork loin.

“We believe that if we want to increase demand for pork loin, we need to develop new products,” he said. “This year we developed two new products: chuleta ahumada, which is smoked loin, and also chuleta taquera; this is a chopped loin that is used for tacos.”

USMEF said the products have found success in Walmart and City Club stores in Mexico.