Region: here's the beef

Central America could produce and export more beef, judging by Honduras' success in this sector. In 2011, Honduras quadrupled its beef exports, to $30 million, from less than $8 million the year before. In much of the region, there is too little land to sustain cattle ranching. But Honduras and Nicaragua have significant grassland areas, which would be suitable for grazing, especially if ranchers concentrated on specialty products, including lean and organic beef. The free trade agreement with the United States included an increase in the quotas of beef, which can be imported from the region. In addition, producers can export to non-traditional markets. Honduran ranchers and packers this year expect to start selling to Russia and Israel.

Opportunities

• Ranchers
• Animal biologists
• Packers
• Marketers