Page 41 - December2018

“We have seen signi cant increase in demand for coconut in the U.S. and particularly for demand year-round.”
Batiz of Divine Flavor describes a big rise in grape production because of new varieties of grapes. “We’re refocusing on taste and using cross-pollination techniques to create grapes tasting like mango, gummy bears and Cotton Candy,” he says. “We’re bringing some of those avors to our customers, naming them Gummyberry and Candy Heart, which adds a bit of fun to healthy eating, as well.”
Obregon of Orbis perceives a need for Mexico to focus increasingly on diversi cation. “Much of our future focus will be new items and value-added products,” he says.
Vision reports growing demand for pack- aged product in its line. “For lemons and limes (Mr. Squeeze), we are o ering value-added packs with two-pound options in our master box, as well as the one-pound sleeves (Mojito) we have for limes,” says Cohen. pb
Look for Part II of this article in our January issue.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISION IMPORT
marketing manager.
Los Rancheros in Pabellón de Arteaga,
Aguascalientes, Mexico, has been exporting garlic to the U.S. for more than 30 years. “ e market is stable right now,” says Gerardo Narváez, sales. “We have increased sales in peeled and black garlic ... there are increasingly niches in the market for new garlic items.”
Ciruli reports items with good move- ment during the 2018 season included citrus — oranges, speci cally — and strawberries. “We also see an emergence in di erent trop- ical items, such as jack fruit,” he says. “And, there is an uptick in demand and production increase for Champagne mangos as our mango program continues to grow in the double digits each year.”
INFLUENCING FACTORS
Suppliers report factors in uencing imports include growing demand, shifting production and innovation in taste and packaging. Vision’s Cohen observes renewed interest in grapefruit. “ is is a result of healthy promotion, in general, as well as the decline of production acreage in the U.S. due to previous demand issues, hurricanes and citrus canker,” he says. “ is leaves room to predict more production from Mexico.”
On the vegetable side, Ciruli notes demand for year-round consistency. “Our current trend is a stretching of the produce season to move more traditionally winter products, such as cucumbers and peppers, into a year- long program through expansion into Central Mexico,” he says.
Alberto Velazquez with Grupo Vet Y Agro in Michoacán, Mexico, reports the company has exported coconut for three years but nds new opportunities in the current market. “Previously, we exported through a broker, but we now look to export directly,” he says.
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