Irish Pork Makes Its Way to Mexican Market

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), pig farming represents the largest contribution to global meat production. Mexico is considered one of the biggest consumers of pork worldwide. Between January and February of 2022, 447,191 tons of pork were consumed in the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) describes the national pig farming industry as “dynamic and growing,” with the country being the 13th pork producer globally with around 1.68 million tons of pork-derived products delivered per year. Of these, more than 250,000 tons are exported to countries such as Japan, the US, Singapore, Canada, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Chile and China. 

Nonetheless, since consumption and external demand exceeds local production, Mexico is also the world’s third-largest purchaser of pork. To address this demand, Ireland has a strategy to expand its offer into the Mexican market. 

In Ireland, pork is the third most demanded and exported livestock product. “Quality meat is gained largely due to the exploitation of the genetic potential of breeds used in modern production systems, strict hygiene measures and restrictions in the use of drugs (antibiotics or hormones) in animals," explained Peter Dougan, Director of the Pork Sector, Bord Bia (Irish Food Board).

Rosderra Irish Meats Group is the largest pork processing company in Ireland. It exports pork products in the world’s most important markets and is an active member of the Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance Scheme. Currently, it operates internationally as McCarrens Kepak, with presence in 43 countries. 

According to Jim Hanley, CEO of the company, Mexico is one of Rosderra’s next customers. "We are aware of the quality of Mexican pork, which is recognized worldwide for its quality and safety. Our intention is not to displace the national product or to compete with any other country; we are simply seeking to earn Mexicans’ trust. We have faced difficult times since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent increases in inflation rates. Therefore, it is necessary for producing countries to seek new markets, as well as for importing countries to diversify their supply sources," Hanley explains.

Bord Bia will participate in Expo Carnes y Lácteos (Meat and Dairy Expo), to be held in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon in February 2023. It will also organize business seminars and welcome potential Mexican associates so they get to know more about Irish pork production, as well as farms’ operations.