Fruits and vegetables help trade grow between Canada and Mexico
Fruits and vegetables help trade grow between Canada and Mexico
MONTREAL -- Trade between Mexico and Canada increased 21 percent in 2006, thanks in large part to the agricultural products that Mexico sends to its northern neighbor.
"Just in agricultural products, the increase was 35 percent, and a very important part of the jump is thanks to fruits and vegetables," Enrique Lobo, the minister of agricultural affairs for the embassy of Mexico in Canada, told The Produce News. "They have been a very important player in the increase of exports from Mexico to Canada," and barring any unforeseen weather problems, "we expect the trend to continue to increase for years."
Mr. Lobo attributed the increase to several factors.
"One is the capability of the growers of producing top-quality products using GMPs and GAPs, and being certified by the Mexican supreme quality seal, Mexico Calidad Suprema," he said. "That puts more confidence and trust on the food that comes from Mexico to Canada. We have safe product for Canadian consumers."
Mr. Lobo said that many Mexican growers have workers that are trained in irrigation systems and greenhouse technology by experts from Spain, Israel, Holland and France.
"In genetics, we are using more specific varieties for our microclimates in Mexico, and they let us get the most quality and flavor and yields out of the products," he said.
He also said that a new generation of growers who are multicultural, multilingual and university-educated are coming into the industry, bringing "a global view of the produce industry to their family-owned companies." Mr. Lobo pointed out two success stories from the recent Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention, here, where the Mexican industry had one of the larger pavilions of the trade show.
One was the introduction of a "one bite," super-sweet baby plum grown in the state of Michoacan, which he described as having "a very sweet flavor with a level of sugar that no other plum can get to."
The second was "the opportunity [for visitors to the Mexican pavilion] to taste all the delicious recipes from the Mexican chefs that were put together from the different islands from the exhibition floor so they can enjoy the flavors, see the product, talk to the growers and enjoy the ambiance, especially with the Mariachi band music."
The convention also offered the opportunity to network and interact with "a lot of players" in the Canadian industry, he added.
Strategic alliances between growers, distributors and retailers are also helping the North American produce trade, he noted.
"We're working with different key retailers in Canada like Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro, and global procurement of Wal-Mart as well," he said. "We have had interviews with some key distributors in Canada like the Oppenheimer Group, Premier and Courchesne Larose to talk about the direct-buying programs from Mexican producers. That gives the importer fresher product, better communication and more information about the product and its production."
Mr. Lobo added that growers are "exploring and starting to produce organic products," and that they are ready to ship such organic items as avocados, mangos, cucumbers, tomatoes and table grapes, and "were willing to work with Canadian authorities" with their new organic law.
"We see that this is going to be a very important niche in the Canadian community and there will be a lot of opportunity for Mexican growers of certified-organic products," he said. "I think that Mexico is well prepared to continue serving the Canadian market and the global market as well with top- quality and safe products."
"Just in agricultural products, the increase was 35 percent, and a very important part of the jump is thanks to fruits and vegetables," Enrique Lobo, the minister of agricultural affairs for the embassy of Mexico in Canada, told The Produce News. "They have been a very important player in the increase of exports from Mexico to Canada," and barring any unforeseen weather problems, "we expect the trend to continue to increase for years."
Mr. Lobo attributed the increase to several factors.
"One is the capability of the growers of producing top-quality products using GMPs and GAPs, and being certified by the Mexican supreme quality seal, Mexico Calidad Suprema," he said. "That puts more confidence and trust on the food that comes from Mexico to Canada. We have safe product for Canadian consumers."
Mr. Lobo said that many Mexican growers have workers that are trained in irrigation systems and greenhouse technology by experts from Spain, Israel, Holland and France.
"In genetics, we are using more specific varieties for our microclimates in Mexico, and they let us get the most quality and flavor and yields out of the products," he said.
He also said that a new generation of growers who are multicultural, multilingual and university-educated are coming into the industry, bringing "a global view of the produce industry to their family-owned companies." Mr. Lobo pointed out two success stories from the recent Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention, here, where the Mexican industry had one of the larger pavilions of the trade show.
One was the introduction of a "one bite," super-sweet baby plum grown in the state of Michoacan, which he described as having "a very sweet flavor with a level of sugar that no other plum can get to."
The second was "the opportunity [for visitors to the Mexican pavilion] to taste all the delicious recipes from the Mexican chefs that were put together from the different islands from the exhibition floor so they can enjoy the flavors, see the product, talk to the growers and enjoy the ambiance, especially with the Mariachi band music."
The convention also offered the opportunity to network and interact with "a lot of players" in the Canadian industry, he added.
Strategic alliances between growers, distributors and retailers are also helping the North American produce trade, he noted.
"We're working with different key retailers in Canada like Loblaws, Sobeys and Metro, and global procurement of Wal-Mart as well," he said. "We have had interviews with some key distributors in Canada like the Oppenheimer Group, Premier and Courchesne Larose to talk about the direct-buying programs from Mexican producers. That gives the importer fresher product, better communication and more information about the product and its production."
Mr. Lobo added that growers are "exploring and starting to produce organic products," and that they are ready to ship such organic items as avocados, mangos, cucumbers, tomatoes and table grapes, and "were willing to work with Canadian authorities" with their new organic law.
"We see that this is going to be a very important niche in the Canadian community and there will be a lot of opportunity for Mexican growers of certified-organic products," he said. "I think that Mexico is well prepared to continue serving the Canadian market and the global market as well with top- quality and safe products."
