Colombia has set its sights on El Salvador as a strategic entry point to expand beef exports across Central America, according to the Colombian Federation of Livestock Farmers (Fedegán).
Óscar Cubillos, head of the Planning and Economic Studies Office at Fedegán-FNG, highlighted the importance of this development in an interview with CONtexto Ganadero, a specialized agricultural news outlet. While acknowledging that El Salvador represents a small market, Cubillos emphasized its potential as a precedent for regional expansion.
“If we can establish El Salvador as a reference, other Central American countries, such as Honduras and Guatemala, might also begin importing Colombian beef. This would boost purchases and pave the way for access to larger and more valuable markets,” Cubillos stated.
The breakthrough follows a February agreement between agricultural authorities from both nations to facilitate Colombian beef imports. Cubillos described the deal as a significant milestone, especially given El Salvador’s status as free of foot-and-mouth disease. Colombia, while not disease-free, has controlled it through vaccination—a point that traditionally limits access to certain markets.
Since the agreement, Colombia has exported 721 tons of beef cuts to El Salvador, valued at $4 million. Fedegán aims to increase demand to 10,000 tons annually, positioning El Salvador as a springboard for further regional growth.