Mexico is forecast to export some US$17bn-worth of agricultural items during 2010, after achieving sendings worth US$12.2bn in the first eight months of the year, according to a statement from the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture (Sagarpa).

The eight-month result is up 11.5 per cent on the same period last year, said Mariano Ruiz-Funes Macedo, Mexico’s sub-secretary for agriculture.

Of that total, more than 70 per cent was exported to the US, a figure which could reach close to US$11bn by the end of 2010, once again cementing the US as Mexico’s leading trading partner.

According to Mr Ruiz, Mexico’s agriculture industry now needs to both maintain and increase its presence in the US by making its exports more competitive.

Meanwhile, Mr Ruiz pointed out that Mexico must also advance its export diversification to include other markets such as European Union and Asia – with the aim of expanding the presence of Mexican food items and widening the sector’s trading links.

To that end, various institutions are working in coordination to preserve, maintain and strengthen food safety within the Mexican agricultural and fishery industries.

Mexico is the leading fruit and vegetable supplier to the US, according to Sagarpa, representing more than 60 per cent of the country’s vegetable imports and almost 25 per cent of fruit arrivals.

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