El Popular, founded in 1925, is the oldest Mexican American-owned business in the United States. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the company produces a range of authentic products including Mexican chorizo, Longaniza sausage, chocolate, and mole sauces. Operating as both a retail and foodservice manufacturer, as well as a wholesale food distributor, El Popular currently exports to over 20 countries.

The Indiana-based supplier has been actively involved with Food Export–Midwest since 2018, participating in programs such as the Online Product Catalog, Export Essentials, Market Builder, Buyers Missions, and Focused Trade Missions. Over the past seven years, this engagement has helped El Popular expand into new markets and increase its overall export sales.

In September 2022, El Popular took part in Food Export–Midwest’s Focused Trade Mission to Toronto, Canada. While in Toronto, the East Chicago-based company explored the retail environment, attended a market update seminar (which included guidance on Canadian packaging compliance), and participated in pre-scheduled, one-on-one buyer meetings. These efforts led to the development of a new broker relationship, which in turn resulted in multiple new distributor partnerships. Since the mission, El Popular has generated over $100,000 in sales, with projections to double that amount based on ongoing opportunities.

In 2023, two key highlights demonstrate continued export success include, El Popular participated in the Focused Trade Mission to Japan for Retail and Foodservice, which included a retail tour in Tokyo and one-on-one meetings with ten Japanese buyers. This resulted in $150,000 in sales to the Japanese market.

The company also showcased its products at a tabletop reception during the Focused Trade Mission to Canada for Retail and Foodservice, which attracted strong interest from Canadian buyers and led to $100,000 in sales.

El Popular’s strategic use of Food Export programs continues to support its international growth and long-standing legacy as a leader in authentic Mexican food products.

Food Export uses funding from the Market Access Program (MAP) to help America’s small businesses increase their exports of food and agricultural products. As these exports increase, these small businesses are creating jobs and improving the strength and stability of our agricultural economy. Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast are non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with their member state departments of agriculture and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. They offer a wide range of programs and services that help boost America’s agricultural exports.