A three-day conference to be held near the US border with Mexico will attempt to answer “some of the negative myths about the safety of Mexican produce” and address other major issues affecting fruit and vegetable trade between the two countries.
The forthcoming Americas Trades Produce Conference, which will be held in McAllen, Texas from 30 March to 1 April, will aim bring together leading elements of the US and Mexican fresh produce sectors to encourage greater trade.
Organised by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas and the Texas Produce Association (TPA), the event will feature a series of workshops to examine the challenge of port congestion, new technology, responses to pest threats and will look to counter negative perceptions about Mexican fruits and vegetables.
The conference will also address the current “unsettled” security situation in Mexico and its impact on the sector and will look at food safety concerns regarding Mexican products.
“Anybody that has a business interest in the US-Mexico produce industry should be at this conference,” said Jaime Chamberlain, chairman of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas.
“I can think of no significant aspect of business between the two countries that isn’t identified and put under the microscope at this meeting.”
TPA president John McClung added: “Some 50 per cent of the fruit and 25 per cent of the vegetables consumed in the US are imported and the overwhelming bulk of that comes from Mexico.
“People in this industry need to develop a broad perspective if they hope to succeed long term, and they need to work together to pursue common interests.”
The conference will also include keynote speeches from Dr Islam Siddiqui, chief White House negotiator for agriculture, and Gabriel Padilla Maya from the Mexican department of agriculture.
