Domestic pork demand could improve next year, as long as consumers can afford it.
An Ag Economist with Kansas State University is optimistic about that. He says demand pulled back this year, especially for pork chops. It is not that consumers don’t want the meat, it’s that they can’t afford it. The economist says wages are not keeping up with cost of living, and he hopes that will change soon.
As for the global market, demand remains very strong and should continue to go up.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation is making sure that demand continues to grow in Mexico, South America and the Dominican Republic, especially as competition grows with Brazil.
A Corporate Chef with the group shares more about the different workshops they host to teach cooks new ways to prepare pork.
“I like to call it a surprise box, where we include all of their array of flavors that would work very well with pork, and then we give it to them and ask them to come up with a dish,” says German Navarrete. “So, it’s been really great because they get there, work with the product, lift the product, and then at the same time they’re sharing ideas with other chefs, but then at the end of the becomes a nice gathering of ideas.”
The workshops also provide the opportunity to showcase different cuts to consumers including pork tongue, pork tails and more.
