May 7, 2009

The sales of pork products in Mexico have fallen 80 percent since the AH1N1 flu epidemic outbreak started, and is affecting the country, Mexican Swine Producers Confederation (CPM) informed.

CPM wants to have an information campaign, not promotional, so consumers can understand there is no risk in eating swine products.

CPM considers the name of "swine flu" incorrect, because according to OIE there is not any scientific proof as the virus components from bird, human and swine. Although the term "swine flu" has been changed to AH1N1 flu, consumers' perceptions do not change and as a consequence pork consumption continues to decrease.

In Mexico there are 6,000 swine producers, which make 1.2 million tonnes of meat per year, with 100,000 monthly.

Swine producers in Mexico come from a critical situation due to the increase in the grain prices in the last two years and the drop of the pork price, additionally the current crisis has left the sector 'out of the market'.

The pork exports, of which 95 percent are aimed for Japan have not been stopped, thanks to CPM, and Mexican and Japanese authorities. They agreed not to stop them since there is no risk.

Japan receives 60,000 tonnes of pork produced in Mexico annually, while the rest of exports go to Korea and in a minimum percentage to the US.