Mexico has managed to more than double exports of avocados, grapes and grapefruit to the European market since 2002.
Patricia Moreno, marketing manager for Mexico’s agriculture ministry, exhibiting the country’s produce at Fruit Logistica in Berlin last week, said the country is able to fill the seasonal gaps in supply.
Mexico shipped around 10,447 tonnes of avocados to the EU in 2002, and 23,565t in 2003. On grapes they went from 5,052t to 10,371t and grapefruit increased from 3,926t to 5,910t.
Although a free trade agreement with the European Union means that tariffs have to be paid until 2008, Moreno said that on the other hand there is less competition.
