Interview with Loriente Clemente, president of the Interprofessional Swine Whitecloak Interporc.

09.09.2014

“Our battle is to improve the image of pork both consumers and prescribers. Not everything is so negative pigs ” In this special on the pig sector white coat talking with the president of the Interprofessional, Loriente Clemente, who gives us an accurate perspective on the situation of this segment of the Spanish meat industry and the future prospects of both the inter-and the meat exports, dynamization of the sector. “Our battle is to improve the image of pork both consumers and prescribers. Not everything is so negative pigs “In this special on the pig sector white coat talking with the president of the Interprofessional, Loriente Clemente, who gives us an accurate perspective on the situation of this segment of the Spanish meat industry and prospects future both interprofessional and meat exports, dynamization of the sector.

President Interporc, Loriente Clemente, is both CEO of one of the largest meat companies in our country, Incarlopsa. This group is part of meat Martínez Loriente, the main meat of Mercadona.

Therefore, from their different production lots of fresh meat is prepared and processed meat, both for the domestic market and for export.

His experience in the association field is quite broad as was previously president of the Foundation of the Spanish Serrano Ham and Meat Group of the National Association of Meat Industries of Spain (Anice), current-ly Interporc occupying the presidency. This interprofessional been developed in the last year various promotional campaigns, both inside and outside our country and I organized the Forum Interporc pig sector where the sector showed their lines of work.

 

Therefore, Loriente Clemente is an excellent partner with whom to discuss the current situation of Spanish porcine white coat, their future prospects and re-tos to be resolved to maintain the pace of growth experienced in recent years.

 

How does the evolution of Interprofessional Swine Whitecloak in recent years and especially since the implementation of the extension of standard?

 

I think it’s still pretty positive developments. As with all beginnings are difficult and associations join hands where the feelings of different parts come together. But I think today we can say that there are common links between the primary and industrial sectors that have joined for the benefit of the pig sector. We have channeled a path which, if continued, will come to fruition.

 

An interprofessional for pigs is required to sit at the same table to yal Industrial livestock and row together in the same direction, namely that what is good for the goose is good for others and what we improve we are going to bring global growth volume and presence and image, is vital because so far we have not had such a forum in which to communicate.

 

Moreover, in view of the Administration which has an inter as interlocutor and give a single message makes for a stronger position at all levels. When you reivindicas something is not the same as having behind all the meat sector to have a small part. Or that little con-fusion there are many associations and each one is making war on their side and the Administration loses a little. For inter stole should move on because all they will do is give us joy.

 

How are responding both ranchers and meat industrial quotas forcing extension of standard?

 

Well, we must start from the fact that nobody wants to pay, pe-ro everyone understands that sise want to share the benefit of the pig sector, which is what many industrial and livestock live in this country, or you do with money or not done.

 

The livestock sector is one that has always been clearer yen industrial part, where there was at first a small doubt, will pave the way and gen-you understand that you must contribute to the relevant quota. Obviously what everyone wants to know is that the money you invest has a return and this is what we are working.

 

Have you contacted Interporc with commercial distribution to try to encourage more knowledge among consumers about pork and its pro-ducts?

 

At first I did not contemplate that. We already seemed difficult to have a common approach between primary and industrial sector to have to put a third party in this case is the large commercial distribution. Yes it is true that we have a part of her that is Cedecarne, yes that is Interporc. In other cases, such as the French inter pig, yes they have gotten inside, I know that with good results. So perhaps it is a step forward in the future.

 

What kind of international promotion plans to develop Interporc? Can be a case and interbranch other countries participating in international trade fairs and shared common flag stands?

 

Now we are starting everything, the truth, and to get there you need a little more maturity. Yes we are trying to distribute economic resources we have in the most efficient way we believe.

 

We have a group of internationalization, made ​​up of companies who have given us their professionals on these issues, which is responsible for these tasks. We have already decided which countries we dedicate ourselves, what shows we want to go and what is the strategy going forward.

 

The resources in this first year of extension rule have not been very buoyant and there is some limitation on these issues. From now expect and more resources and the intended promotion of more international than national.

 

Obviously it needs to be on these shows and give the message that there is an interprofessional, discuss booms Spanish pigs, etc. The countries to which we mainly want to target are Japan, Russia, China, Mexico, Poland and some of the EU and France.

 

The aspects that focus on promoting consumption of pork in Interporc campaigns focus their household goods in the food and health. Are you going to also work on these aspects with processed meats?

 

Yes, of course. We understand that the pig industry is not only fresh but also includes meat processed, which are ultimately an extension of fresh produce. Communication focuses on demystifying how bad the pig is credited in many areas. There are health issues in the consumption of pork that are as good and healthy as any other meat.

 

  Precisely campaign recent television we wanted to communicate that is a white meat and not red, as there were doubts in this regard, stating that it is a versatile product, good value, which is healthy for any age etc. We therefore communicate the benefits of this meat that mu-chas times have not been released.

 

  The closure of the Russian market for ex-exports, how has ended up affecting the domestic market?

 

We are talking about one of the most important merca-two for the Spanish pig industry. It has affected us very negative mind-but people have sought alternative markets and has gone to where before seeking alternatives such as the case of Southeast Asia and the EU. It has also been reduced and adjusted the number of sacrifices at the prospect of the development of this market. Fortunately in our country have done well and we have things realizing that finishing pig production is-locker in the world can compete with anyone. But, however, the years of delay in the export we sometimes do not do things as well as we should.

 

I hope now with the new royal decree on exports have increased demands, which the industry seems fine. We feel great to focus on the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment leadership of exports and to coordinate with the Health and Trade, which seemed like they were independent.

 

With the quality we have now, if we followed to-be more competitive in price, since it seems to always go the slipstream of other countries such as Germany and Denmark, we would jump even higher quality. We are evolving in the right amino c and we will move conveniently.

 

Given this close, what other markets has led the Spanish pig?

 

Well, in 196 countries we are currently exporting to 120 Surely we have to export to countries with a large de-kicks. One of them obviously is Japan, where we strongly penetrating even-there are big competitors like Dina-brand. Great efforts have been made in China or South Korea. It also works in countries from other continents such as Africa, with a different type of product .For this I think that the Spanish industry are looking to work with all markets and if anyone there with which it works, it is asking the Ministry us find ways to enter. This is the case in India or in Arab countries where the consumption of pork is not a majority but there is a part of the population can consume these products. Therefore we do not close any path and the more locations we can be even better.

 

Major pork producers worldwide are recorded cases of PED v in their pig populations. This situation, has given new opportunities to Spanish pig?

 

The first thing to say is do not think it’s good overall. The emergence of a disease in pigs, the quesea type, does not benefit us as an image, etc. It is true that when produced in a country, livestock decreases, borders are closed and therefore the price of live cattle up, face less competitive abroad and benefits other countries that do not have this and can sell.

 

There was a gap left by the countries that are suffering from this disease in their pigs and has been used by others for export. But the problems are not eternal and it has been produced in the United States, where people work very well, will soon re-convert and eradicate the disease.

 

What are the main problems you may currently have the pig industry to continue the trend of recent years?

 

Nationally I think we have two major problems-mind. The first is that the crisis we are experiencing the economic capacity of households has dropped and changed shopping habits. People want to buy it as cheap as possible. We are in a mid-range within the meat and other foods, such as fish, for example. And then our big battle is to improve the image of pork both consumers and prescribers such as doctors, endocrinologists, nutritionists, etc. Must change the perception that not everything in the pig is so negative.

 

Outside our country pig is a pro-duct of overall success with a merca-two in which there is some maturity but it is true that there are expanding economies in countries like China, South Korea or Japan, where the consumption may be growing and more market opportunities.

 

The outlook is good but should be further improved: farmers need to be more efficient in the production, which will end up lowering costs and allow us to have more farms and livestock available. Industries must work to make things right facing away because our image abroad is not as good as it should be. If this can get it in the end have more international demand.

 

And for the future, what is to focus the promotion that will develop Interporc?

 

One of the working groups that we created in the inter is specifically dedicated to the promotion, national and international. Right now they are working on the campaign for next year. I must say that the advertising campaign we’ve done has been quite satisfactory, with a penetration rate quite high .The remember having chelates viewers have seen is quite high. Remember that it is a much healthier, white meat and has positive connotations. As I say v masters to study the campaign for next year and by October will begin a second mission of promotion.

 

But more important than this is the next extension of legislation, which is already well-Tamos working. It is a work of continuity and should reflect if the inter should follow the path that has started or not. We hope so, we believe that everyone has more or less clear. Once approved we will set annual goals and a strategic plan from the following standard extension would be for three years. We have therefore soft-September 2015 for the second extension.