DENVER — After years of struggling to gain presence in the Cuban market, US red meat exports are finally gaining traction thanks in part to private sector buying, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). For Cuban buyers and US companies interested in capitalizing on this opportunity, USMEF recently held an educational seminar in Miami.
“There’s excitement about the market,” said Elizabeth Wunderlich, USMEF Caribbean representative. “Our members just jumped at the chance for meeting all of these buyers. They made the effort to come and learn about how to actually do business in Cuba. And we brought in an expert who has been working with exporting, but also with our government, to understand how to muddle through all the regulations.”
The expert Wunderlich referred to is Paul Johnson of Focus Cuba, a consulting firm that specializes in assisting US companies interested in doing business in the Cuban market.
According to Johnson, Cuban buyers are especially interested in US pork.
“Sales of pork are up about 400% compared to the same time last year,” Johnson said. “Relatively small number, obviously, but I expect that to increase based on two things. One, pork production in Cuba is down about 90%, and this new private sector in Cuba has the resources to fill in those needs for the Cuban consumers and for tourism. I think it’s going to take time, but what I’m excited about is that there are buyers who have the resources. We no longer have to sell to just one company in Cuba now; we can sell to thousands.”
Through September, US pork exports to Cuba totaled 5,843 tonnes, up 322% from the same period last year, valued at $17.2 million (up 236%). On the beef side, Cuba currently takes mostly canned product, but shipments are up sharply. January-September exports increased more than 1,500% from a year ago, reaching 3,234 tonnes, valued at $5.4 million (up 519%). For US lamb entering Cuba, 387 tonnes of variety meat exports were reported through September, valued at $1.5 million.
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Publish date : 2024-11-27 04:44:00
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