Mexico is FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 partner country

Mexico is the official FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 partner country. The northernmost Latin American country, which is celebrating its bicentennial year as an independent country in 2010, is planning it's biggest-ever appearance at the world's leading trade fair for fresh produce. From 3rd to 5th February, Mexico will be represented in Hall 25 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds by numerous growers, organizations and trade associations. The exhibition will feature the most extensive variety of Mexican fruit and vegetables ever presented in Europe.

According to the WTO, Mexico is the world's tenth-largest agricultural exporter. The country is the leading exporter of avocados, mangos, papayas, watermelons and other melons. It is the second largest exporter of onions, chickpeas, cucumbers, asparagus, pecans and limes, and the third-largest exporter of aubergines, sweet peppers, tomatoes, spinach, pumpkins, cauliflower and strawberries.

Mayorga Castañeda, Mexico's Agricultural Minister, will be a guest speaker at the FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 opening ceremony on 2nd February at the ICC Berlin and will officially host the partner country's reception afterwards. 

Mexico presents "Best of the Fresh"
Mexico exhibited at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time in 1995 and has been present at the event with a national pavilion each year since 2001. In line with the "Best of the Fresh" slogan, Mexico's fresh produce is characterised by its extensive variety and outstanding quality. According to produce market representatives, Mexico's presence at the trade fair over the years has served as an important driving force for the country's fresh produce trade. It has also helped increase export figures for Mexican fruit and vegetables. In the period from 2007 to 2008 alone, exports to European Union countries increased by 16 per cent. In the early years, only eight Mexican exhibitors were present at FRUIT LOGISTICA. This number has since risen to more than 30. In the beginning, the reported sales volume at the trade fair totalled around US$4 million. In the meantime, this figure has increased to more than US$50 million. Today, the products presented at FRUIT LOGISTICA cover a broader spectrum and have attracted strong demand on European markets.

With a population of more than 105 million, Mexico is one of the most important economic regions in Latin America. The country has been a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) since 1994 and has completed several free trade agreements (FTA) with its major trade partners. Mexico is currently one of the
few countries to have signed free trade agreements with the United States, Canada, the European Union and Japan. It also has agreements with most Latin American countries as well as with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and Israel. This network of trade agreements accounts for a very large share of Mexico's foreign trade.

Mexico is a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and an active member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Over the past ten years, Mexico has made a transition to an open trade policy, which makes the country a regular player in the global economy.

Mexico has ratified ten international free trade agreements and several bilateral investment agreements as a means of promoting its industrial competitiveness and export-focused growth. This fosters new investment opportunities and a guaranteed preferential market access for exports to 31 countries. Mexico supplies a combined market of nearly 860 million consumers across three continents. More than 90 per
cent of Mexico's exports are now duty free.

An essential tool for Mexico's economic policy, free trade agreements remain as a means of increasing trade, improving competitiveness and ensuring long-term growth. Mexico's network of free trade agreements has contributed to a substantial upswing in the country's trade volume. 

Agricultural exports - a key economic factor
Mexican agri-food exports have become an important source of revenue for the country. The ongoing development of production structures and the expansion of the product range have significantly improved the quality standards and scope of Mexico's agri-food trade. This has substantially contributed to the success of exports in this sector. Mexico supplies the world's top markets with high-quality fresh produce. A professional, highly versatile approach to production is complemented by a distinctive national cuisine that combines freshness and spiciness with the culinary heritage of ancient civilizations.

The agro-climatic conditions in Mexico make it possible to grow a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. Some 88 different fruit varieties are grown on 1,328,524 hectares of farmland along with 104 different types of vegetables, (554,708 ha) and 31 varieties of ornamental plants (18,846 ha). More than 130 different varieties of fresh fruit are produced in export quality. Visitors to FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 are invited to come to the Mexican pavilion for a close-up look at this diversity.
 

Source: Transportweekly