As Mexico’s Baluarte Bridge nears its official opening — tentatively scheduled for later this year — and the city of San Antonio booming, Mexico’s Abasto Corp. is well-positioned to make the most of the produce industry’s next likely hotspot with the opening of the 80-acre San Antonio Wholesale Produce Market.

In 2012, Abasto Properties LLC, a sister company of Abasto Corp., which has built and operates five wholesale markets in Mexico and south Texas since 1983, acquired the 80-acre lot near the corner of U.S. Highway Loop 410 and Interstate 37 in south San Antonio for the new San Antonio Wholesale Produce Market, which will be the crown jewel in the company’s holdings.

“What drew us to this site was its extensive front to Loop 410, easy access around San Antonio and to all key highways that connect south to major ports of entry to the U.S. and northeast to markets like Houston, Austin and Dallas,” said Director of Business Development & Sales Fernando Narvaez. “San Antonio is the ideal location for this regional wholesale market due to its geographic location that facilitates the consolidation and trading of products coming from or going to Mexico.”

“We are well on our way to break ground no later than the first quarter of 2014. Phase one construction, which will run through the first months of 2015, will consist of the two front buildings of 30 warehouse units each, out of a total of nine buildings and 200 warehouse units that will be built in at least three phases,” Narvaez said. “We started pre-selling warehouse units earlier this year and we have seen great response from producers, merchants and investors particularly from Mexico that want to secure the best locations within the wholesale market. Tomatoes, avocados, peppers, limes, tropical fruits and Mexican ethnic groceries are among the products gaining more presence in this first phase.”

Phase two construction will begin about a year after phase one is completed. SAWPM will incorporate “the best of our experience in functionality and modern design,” Narvaez said.

In addition to vast general parking for visitors and trucks and extra-wide streets for easy maneuvering, each warehouse will have plenty of dedicated parking. The project will operate as a gated condominium with common area maintenance, 24-hour security and video surveillance.

All warehouse units are 3,100 square foot with an additional 900 square foot mezzanine for an office. All units will be refrigeration-ready, including insulated panels and roof, as well as a brand new refrigeration equipment.

Each cold room can hold up to 156 pallets or about seven truckloads. Temperature in the loading areas will also be controlled to ensure cold chain continuity. Each warehouse features a 450 square foot covered dock and access for lighter loads in front, and up to three insulated dock-high doors in the back.

Its interior design will facilitate obtaining the most important warehouse certifications in the produce market.