According to the Tariff Information System Via Internet (SIAVI) of the Ministry of Economy (SE), the export of oil and oil products in 2016 left Mexico with a deficit that amounted to 13,163,000,000 dollars; meanwhile, avocado exports reported a surplus of 2,220,000,000 dollars.
Michoacan stands out as the cradle of this new financial aphrodisiac, which has displaced the so-called 'black gold'; an unprecedented moment in history. Producers are not afraid to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); moreover, they are interested in increasing exports to Japan, China, Canada and the European Union.
"We haven't discounted the possibility of other countries either. A few months ago, we went to the Arabian Peninsula to take this fresh fruit. This market is far away and we are looking to make an air freight connection to this location, as it's currently virtually impossible to export the product there. It takes more than 40 days by boat there and the fruit perishes before arriving at its destination," said Juan Carlos Grayeb, a producer of avocados.
The Empaque RV (Ramon Valencia) packaging company, located in Uruapan, said that, so far in 2017, they had made nearly 15 shipments of 20 tons each to Europe, and that they expect that figure will continue increasing. "We work hard to have satisfied customers. We offer quality products and that opens doors in the market," said Heriberto Becerra, the company's chief operating officer.
"In turn, the Mexican Association of Producers and Exporting Packers of Avocado (APEAM), estimates that Mexico will export more than 900,000 tons of avocado to the US, 52,000 tons to Japan, and 20,000 tons of avocado to China in this harvest cycle, which goes from June 2016 to July 2017."
In 2016, avocado sales to Asia and Europe grew significantly. Germany and the Netherlands had the highest increases in exports, with 237 and 283 percent, respectively; however, the country continues to export most of its production volume to the United States.
Source: Excélsior / Agencies