Avocado forum focuses on faster exports of fresh avocado

The great creamy taste of Mexican avocados is undeniable … and so is the challenge for Mexican exporters and European importers to obtain the best results. Since United Producers of Mexico, known as UPM, started operating in 2016, the focus has been on improving all aspects of avocado exports from Mexico to the Netherlands, from improvements in orchards, quality control in origin and reduced sea days. By teaming up with specialists in the industry, these efforts are now showing results.For this reason, UPM has organized the Avocado Forum on Monday August 19th, 2019 in Rotterdam, where avocado importers from the Netherlands negotiate with qualified and certified exporters from Mexico. These exporters are participating in the Avocado Trade Mission, that is visiting the Netherlands from August 19th through 23rd.

Program Avocado Forum for exporters from Mexico
The Avocado Forum offers in the morning an informative session for the Mexican exporters with conferences of specialists from different sectors, such as Wageningen avocado post-harvest specialists, National Agricultural Council of Mexico with a presentation of the Agro-Logistics Platform in Mexico, financial and logistics options in the Netherlands, and a panel of ripening specialists to discuss the challenges for exporters and importers during the ripening process of Mexican avocados.

Program Avocado Forum for Importers from Europe
In the afternoon, from 13.30 – 17:00, the avocado importers are welcomed with a specific agenda of presentations of the following programs:

New direct sea-route Mexico-the Netherlands, 12-14 days
UPM is currently programming a new maritime route, which will go directly from Mexico to the Netherlands, reducing the shipping times from 21 to only 12-14 days. This much needed short route will enable exporters and importers alike to obtain quicker and better results for avocado shipments from Mexico.

Quality Control Package in Origin
Importers can now work together with exporters from Mexico with better results, as UPM has teamed up with Control Union Mexico to improve quality checks in origin. A complete service package is now offered, which verifies the complete post-harvest process according to European protocols, performs a Quality Inspection with Reporting and ensures correct documentation before containers are to leave the packhouse. This Export-Security-Package will greatly enhance confidence and traceability for European importers.

Global Gap and Social Certification Programs in Mexico
To increase the volume that counts with the correct certifications for Europe, UPM has been organizing a Program to Reduce Global Gap and Social Certifications Costsfor avocado producers to ensure a faster certification process and increase certified volume for the European market.

Aweta Dry Matter Selection Technology
Together with avocado exporters, Aweta Technology in Mexico has been developing the Inscan Technology that reads Dry Matter Range of each avocado. Aweta will present the option to link both the Aweta selection equipment in Mexico with the Aweta equipment with the Dutch importers.

Matchmaking Sessions
From 15:00 to 17:00, the agenda includes negotiation tables between importers and the visiting avocado exporters. These exporters from Mexico are are qualified and experienced with shipments to Europe. Each registered importer will have an agenda of appointments with the Mexican exporters of their interest.

The Avocado Forum will be held in the Schielandshuis at Rotterdam Partners, Korte Hoogstraat 31, 3011 GK Rotterdam.

For more information:
United Producers of Mexico
Lia Bijnsdorp
Tel: +31 6 454 80 345
Office: +31 10 – 30 41 001
Email: lia.bijnsdorp@upmeurope.nl