As a result of the weather conditions and the antidumping laws enforced by the United States Government on this year's tomato production, Mexico's exports of the fruit will fall.
This was announced by the president of Sistema Producto Tomate, Manuel Antonio Cázares Castro, who said that from the two million tonnes which were annually exported to the United States, only 1,600,000 tonnes will be exported this year.
While tomato exports go on this downward trend, other vegetables, such as chillies, asparagus and pumpkins, have seen an increase in their exports, although domestic sales have fallen.
Cázares Castro added that 85% of the estimated target is being exported over an extended period as a result of this year's low temperatures, a period which is being good in terms of production volumes, quality and prices.
The president of Sistema Producto Tomate also insisted that the United States is a very acceptable market for Mexican tomatoes, especially because of the good quality of this open ground and greenhouse-produced crop.
He explained that the tomato harvest period will be practically finished this month, closing a satisfactory season, as both prices and product quality have been good.
Source: TRIBUNA