USSEC recently provided technical assistance to preferred customers of the Colombia Swine Association (ACP) who use U.S. soybean products in operations located in several Colombian cities.  USSEC consultant Julio Chaves visited a small sausage plant in Bogota to work in the development of a new chorizo and also provided several formulas for hamburger manufacturing.  In Cali, Mr. Chaves visited the largest swine operation in Colombia, which has a deboning facility and a small sausage plant.  He talked with them about their concerns regarding the shelf life of pork and assisted with a microbiological situation.  He also visited a medium size sausage plant where he gave a short seminar on the topic of meat characteristics.  In Medellin, the consultant met with ACP personnel and a strategic partner to discuss the benefits of a pork carcass grading system.  Finally, Mr. Chaves visited one of the largest beef and pork harvest plants in Colombia to review their operational procedures.