The renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has not had an impact on the export of Mexican avocados to the United States, which will grow by 15 percent this year, said the strategic adviser of the Association of Producers and Packers Exporters of Avocado from Mexico (APEAM), Ramon Paz Vega.
From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, MIchoacan exported 762 thousand tons of avocado to the United States, which left an economic surplus of more than two billion dollars, said the executive. In fact, we expect there will be a 15 percent increase during the 2017-2018 season, as we will send some 836 thousand tons, Paz Vega added.
So far, he said, there have been no difficulties or setbacks for our avocado exports, despite the protectionist measures proposed by the US government to the agricultural sector during the process of modernizing the trade agreement.
Furthermore, he added, producers maintain a broad optimism that the renegotiation of NAFTA will have favorable results for the agricultural sector.
Paz Vega stressed that Mexico is the only country that can harvest the avocado 52 weeks of the year, which represents a competitive advantage compared to other countries in the world.
"This advantage is indisputable for the United States market, so the commercial exchange of this agricultural product will continue with that nation, even if the renegotiation of the treaty leads to the imposition of a tariff," he said.
Source: Notimex