Red meat exports to Caribbean growing

Red meat exports to Caribbean growing U.S. beef and pork are gaining popularity in the Caribbean islands, spurred by a variety of marketing efforts, the U.S. Meat Export Federation said.
   'We're establishing solid relationships with chefs, retailers and companies purchasing beef and pork in most of the Caribbean islands, including the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica and the Netherlands Antilles,' said Elizabeth Wunderlich, USMEF consultant to the Caribbean. 'Our strategy is to deliver the same messages to buyers and consumers in the islands, but in different ways. As a result, they are finding a lot to like about what U.S. red meat has to offer.'
   Port shipments to the Caribbean increased 32 percent in 2006 to 25,816 metric tons, while beef exports increased 29 percent to 16,704 metric tons, according to the USMEF.
   'Because the United States is close to the islands, we have a great opportunity to reach out to these markets,' Wunderlich said.