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“We are also neighbors with the high-volume produce regions of Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco and other states of Mexico.”
— Pedro Batiz, Divine Flavor
VOLUME OF MEXICAN PRODUCE IMPORTED THROUGH NOGALES IN 2017
(Percentage in 10,000-lb. units)
Mexico 1,987,674 100% Nogales 614,347 31%
The top volume of produce by type:
Commodity Name
Watermelons Seedless Cucumbers
Squash
Round Tomatoes
Bell Peppers Plum Tomatoes Grapes
Other Peppers Mangos Honeydews Sweet Corn Eggplant Oranges
Grape Tomatoes Cantaloupes Green Beans Misc. Asian Bananas
Misc. Tropical Limes
Avocados Carrots
Cherry Tomatoes Blueberries Onions (dry) Pumpkins Grapefruit Green Peas Tangerines Brussels sprouts Pineapples Asparagus
Other Vegetables Broccoli
Watermelons Seeded Iceberg Lettuce
Mixed and Misc Melons Misc Herbs
Celery
Lemons
Peaches
Garlic
Cabbage
Chinese Cabbage Cauliflower
Cactus Leaf (Nopales) Green Onions Radishes
Spinach Romaine Lettuce Source: FPAA
Units
100,754 80,527 76,404 56,032 54,373 53,893 37,803 26,729 26,042 15,446 11,902 10,321
9,837 9,727 6,938 5,637 5,413 3,459 3,023 2,825 2,085 1,913 1,911 1,466 1,065 1,016 808 717 596 512 508 451 448 431 420 415 365 353 350 317 237 186 169 136 116 75 50 46 30 24
AN INTERTWINED COMMUNITY
Nogales remains a tight-knit commu- nity of produce industry professionals, and while individual companies compete, they also work closely together to improve the business environment for everyone. “From improved border crossings to industry training for new regulations and laws, Nogales uniquely exemplifies the best of an industry coming together for the benefit of all,” says Moore. “This translates into quantifiable benefits for buyers when they are looking for the most efficient, profes- sional places to source produce. It is not uncommon for two different suppliers to be competing for business in the morning and cheering together in the afternoon watching their kids play on the same baseball team.”
Nogales is a small town, and produce distributors traditionally have been fami- ly-owned, explains Ciruli. “Across the generations, these families’ children grew up together and remained friends despite competing with one another,” he says. “What sets the community apart is the fact that Nogales shippers band together to ensure the area continues to see more imports, more exports and overall better infrastructure. We want the community to thrive for generations to come.”
Nogales’ perspective of being a “greater” community beyond just its borders amplifies the potential its industry offers. “We are the same city on both sides of the border,” says Batiz. “We are also neighbors with the high- volume produce regions of Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco and other states of Mexico.”
Because of this, Mandel of SunFed notes, Nogales has a concentration of growers/shippers not seen at other ports of entry. “In a 20-mile radius, you have the harvest of the finest fruits and vege- tables and are able to mix and match to build loads no matter what products you’re shopping for,” he says.
Nogales companies are aware of exacting buyer demands and believe their growers in Mexico continue to meet and exceed those demands to stay relevant. “Mexico continues to create and implement new technologies in growing and harvesting, from the use of greenhouse technology to studying better methods in agronomy, seed varieties and more,” says Moore. “The produce industry relies on innovation to continue to meet buyer and consumer demand.”
The produce industry in Nogales and the community in which it resides remain linked together. “Nogales truly is built around the produce industry, and its legacy are what have allowed the community to grow,” says Mandel.
Santa Cruz County, where Nogales resides, is a typical rural county where economic funding and opportunity are limited. “Here, 21.9 percent of the county lives below the poverty line,” says Mandel. “Our county has an unemployment rate more than double the national average. The produce industry is the largest private employer in the county, and the principals of nearly all the major companies here serve on one or more boards for non-profits aiming to better the community.” pb
178 / OCTOBER 2018 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRULI BROTHERS