2017 was a tremendous year for U.S. pork and beef exports to Colombia. Through November, pork exports to Colombia were up 65 percent year-over-year (to 63,583 metric tons) and valued at just under $150 million (up 66 percent). U.S. beef exports increased 28 percent year-over-year in volume (4,818 metric tons) and 15 percent in value ($14.7 million).
However, as U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Technical Services Manager Cheyenne McEndaffer explains, red meat exports to Colombia still face significant technical barriers. She works regularly with U.S. exporters and Colombian importers to ensure that products are not delayed or rejected upon arrival in Colombia, due to such issues as labeling and documentation, or damaged boxes that may not clear inspection. McEndaffer notes that transportation and infrastructure issues also present obstacles in Colombia, especially for chilled pork and beef.