Mexico has outlined plans to significantly increase fruit and vegetable exports following the announcement of a new public-private strategy.
By the end of 2013 officials predict some 856 production units could be certified to MexicoGAP standard – a level benchmarked to GlobalGAP – representing a 23 per cent increase compared to 2012. That will mean some 72,760 producers will be able to benefit from the scheme.
The additional certified output will mean both more crop available for export and better-quality produce for the domestic market, Mexico Calidad Suprema (MCS) chairman Juan Alberto Laborín Gómez told a press conference at Fruit Logistica in Berlin this week.
The increase follows the news that MCS and Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture (SAGARPA) have agreed a joint strategy to boost Mexico’s presence on international markets, with a key feature being plans to certify more small and medium-sized growers.
“It is essential that we strengthen the food safety, health and quality of exported products, and even more, that we increase the variety of products with potential market demand,” said SAGARPA minister Enrique Martínez y Martínez. “Therefore we are looking to bring small and medium-sized agricultural producers into the supply chain, the certification schemes and the high-quality commercial promotions – all with the puporse of achieving rapid entry for their products into national and international markets.”
Last year MexicoGAP was recognised by government body Senasica as being equivalent to the Contamination Risk Reduction System (SRRC) environmental management programme for the production, harvesting and packing of fruit and vegetables.
That means producers will be able to comply with local regulations and work towards sales certification that will give access to international markets.
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