Putting programs and policies into practice throughout Latin America. is discussed, as is FAS Mexican Posts - FAS CBATO Caribbean Basin Agricultural Trade Office

AgExporter, May, 2003

It all comes down to individuals--even the best policies and programs would prove ineffective without people to carry them out. In this article, FAS attaches in Latin American countries offer highlights on how Post personnel are working to strengthen U.S. Latin American ties.

Caribbean Basin

In 2003, the FAS CBATO (Caribbean Basin Agricultural Trade Office) is considering applicants for training in various procedures and techniques, such as produce handling, supermarket merchandising and new product introduction, the U.S. food safety program for consumer group representatives; the U.S. food safety program for government regulators; training in biotechnology for Caribbean scientists and professors involved in local agricultural production; and meat and poultry inspection for government meat inspection officials.

"Our office has conducted numerous training courses through the Cochran Fellowship Program in such activities as supermarket management/food retailing systems, handling and marketing of produce, wines, meats and dairy products and HACCP [Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Point] systems," said Omar Gonzalez, deputy director of the CBATO.

One group in the CBATO Cochran Program attended a two-week program at St. Joseph's University in Pennsylvania that focused on current trends in consumer-ready foods and provided information on inventory control, quality control, customer service, handling, merchandising and promoting food items at the retail level. The group visited local supermarkets, distribution centers and processing plants. The group also attended the annual FMI (Food Marketing Institute) show in Chicago and met with U.S. trade contacts.

Another group began with an intensive seminar at the University of California at Davis on the produce marketing system, which covered handling and distribution of produce from grower to packer-shipper to retailer, as well as processing, packaging and labeling, retailing and new technology. The participants then toured California, Washington and Oregon to meet fruit and vegetable growers, processors and suppliers. They also visited the Produce Marketing Association exposition in Monterey, California.

"Another CBATO Cochran Program effort targeted wine distributors, chefs of upscale hotels and restaurants and food and beverage journalists," Gonzalez said. "Participants went to vineyards in California, Washington and Oregon to learn about wine production from vine to barrel." A course at the University of California at Davis covered such topics as effects of aging on wine taste and value, pairing of wines with spices and sauces and marketing.

Still another Cochran effort gave participants an understanding of handling and marketing systems for meats, dairy products and fresh fruits. Participants traveled with a buyer education team from USMEF (the U.S. Meat Export Federation, an MAP and cooperator program participant), and attended USMEF's foreign buyer conference.

Participants learned about pork and beef grading; beef use in the food service industry; computer software for underutilized cuts; and portion control. They visited processors and packers, and took a short course put on by Texas A&M University for an in-depth look at beef cattle evaluation; carcass grading; inspection and food safety; factors affecting leanness and palatability; meat cutting rules and methods; and wholesale and retail cut techniques.

Participants then studied dairy product handling and marketing through a program designed by the Wisconsin State Department of Agriculture, which covered quality, processing, storage and transportation of dairy products.

"A course on the U.S. HACCP system for importers, distributors and food inspectors and policy makers provides information on the distribution, handling and storage of meat and poultry products, and includes a tour of manufacturing and distribution facilities that have effectively implemented the HACCP system.

"The HACU [Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities] intern program also has furthered CBATO's mission," Gonzalez said. "HACU interns have conducted market research on exporting U.S. food and beverage products to the Caribbean, organized international conferences, arranged sales missions for U.S. exporters, participated in trade shows and managed computer systems and communications." Through USDA's Public Service Scholarship Program, the CBATO also has a Hispanic cooperative student from Puerto Rico.

Mexico

The Office of Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City oversees USDA activities in Mexico, with particular emphasis on government-to-government relations and trade policy.

"FAS also has ATOs in Mexico City and Monterrey that take the lead in market promotion, training and export credit activities," said Bruce Zanin, director of ATO Mexico City.

Recent and planned marketing activities of FAS Mexican Posts include:

* a videoconference with agribusiness exporters from Fresno, California

* USA Pavilions at the Expocarne, Exphotel, ANTAD and ABASTUR trade shows