Page 38 - December2018

ENDURING PROSPECTS IN POST-NAFTA MEXICO
The U.S. relies more on Mexico for its produce.
BY JODEAN ROBBINS
In this rst part of a two-part article, industry
experts predict advancing trends and innovation Mregardless of what governments do.
exico’s proximity to the U.S. and its bene cial growing climates continue to bolster fresh fruit and vegetable trade with the U.S. “Produce trade
between the U.S. and Mexico remains strong,” says Mayra Velasquez de León, president and chief executive of Organics Unlimited in San Diego, CA. “At the end of the day, it makes sense to continue to source from our neighbor as the rst option.”
38 / DECEMBER 2018 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
PHOTO COURTESY OF ORGANICS UNLIMITED
In 2017, the U.S. imported $8.76 billion of fruits and vegetables from Mexico, according to USDA-FAS data. Produce exports from Mexico to the U.S. have grown approximately 363 percent in volume since 1993, according to USDA statistics.
Christopher Ciruli, chief operating o cer
PHOTOT COURTESY OF CIRULI BROTHERS
for Ciruli Brothers in Rio Rico, AZ, expects continued growth from Mexico in the coming years across fruits and vegetables. “ e reports I’ve seen have focused on forecasting growth with row crops, but we have also noticed growth out of Mexico with some citrus items,” he says.
POWERHOUSE PRODUCTS
e top produce items by volume imported from Mexico to the U.S., according to the USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), include avocados, tomatoes, cucum- bers, plum tomatoes, limes, chili peppers, squash, bell peppers, mangos and bananas. “ ree of our four core items — limes, lemons and mangos — continue to enjoy increased demand mostly due to growth in consump- tion,” says Ronnie Cohen, principal with Vision Import Group in Hackensack, NJ.