Mexican producers are evaluating the access to Europe's agricultural food market to send processed, frozen, and dehydrated products.
Europe has an unsatisfied demand for paste, tomato puree, frozen asparagus, and different added value presentations of squash and onion, stated the general director of the Mexican Association of protected horticulture (AMHPAC), Alfredo Diaz Belmontes.
According to Diaz Belmontes, transporting the fresh vegetables to Europe takes up to 30 days by sea, which means they would have a very short shelf life upon arrival, and the cost of air transport would increase the products price, so producers should send added value products that can have better or more competitive prices.
According to a study from Promexico, the world's processed food industry reached a value of $5,069 million in 2015, and it is expected to grow at a 5.3% annual average rate between 2015 and 2020.
Last year, horticultural producers in the AMHPAC produced 1.27 million tons of vegetables, 66% of which was tomato, 19% red pepper, and 17% cucumber, stated Diaz Belmontes.
"The uncertainty of the NAFTA is forcing us to do what we should have done in the past: look for other trade alternatives, as being dependent on a single market makes us vulnerable," he stated.
Source: mundoejecutivo.com.mx