Last steps to achieve the admissibility of Colombian meat to the United States.

Due to the restrictions on exports to Russia, the country accelerated the search for and opening of other markets for products such as beef. In this case, the U.S. market is very attractive for Colombia as it has around 300 million consumers and is a natural market given its proximity.

In 2021, Colombia's exports to Russia totaled USD 140 million, a figure that represents 0.3% of the agricultural sector's sales abroad. 25% (USD 64 million) corresponds to meat and edible offal of this figure. This is a product for which an outlet must be found since it is not possible to ship to Russia for the time being.

In the last communication between APHIS (US sanitary authority) and the Colombian government, the intention to visit Colombia in the first weeks of May 2022 was detailed to evaluate the Colombian meat export zone proposal.

The APHIS visit will verify Colombia's export zones, especially the Atlantic coast. In addition, during the visit of APHIS officials, they will also learn about the measures applied in the border areas with Venezuela to mitigate the risk of foot-and-mouth disease infection and the operation of the meatpacking plants for the commercialization of meat abroad.