USDEC Seeks Growth in Chile Through Higher-Value Dairy Products
The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is organising a programme in Chile focused on understanding the requirements of different sales channels and identifying openings for American dairy products. The initiative is aimed at strengthening long-term links with Chile’s food industry.
Cheese is the central product in the programme. USDEC will promote U.S. cheeses through tastings, cheese boards and cooking demonstrations. The activities are intended to present uses for the products in retail and foodservice, including restaurants, institutional catering and other consumption categories.
The schedule will begin with a presentation on Chile’s dairy market and its main characteristics. It will be followed by a networking reception involving the participating U.S. businesses and members of the local industry. In the subsequent sessions, the companies will visit a trade fair and hold meetings with representatives of retail, foodservice and distribution.
Those three channels have been identified by USDEC as key areas for widening the presence of U.S. dairy products in Chile. The programme is due to end with a technical visit to a plant on Friday, October 2. The source does not specify the plant or provide details of the companies taking part beyond stating that seven U.S. businesses are involved.
U.S. exports to Chile have been growing, according to the source, with cheeses and higher-value ingredients providing the main impetus. No figures were supplied to quantify the increase. The programme’s stated commercial focus is on putting American suppliers directly in contact with Chilean purchasers and operators to identify specific business opportunities.
The initiative places emphasis on specialised products, culinary applications and differentiation rather than volume alone. Cheese is presented as one of the main products through which suppliers from the two countries may develop new business. The source says that the participation of seven companies reflects continued attention from U.S. dairy exporters to the Chilean market.
