Adrián Iturbide Mejía, Former President, Mexican Association of Avocado Producers and Exporters: Interview

Interview: Adrián Iturbide Mejía

What is Mexico’s position in the global market?

ADRIÁN ITURBIDE MEJÍA: Mexico is responsible for 50% of global avocado trade, but only 35-40% of global production. The value of avocados rose by 50-60% during 2017, while production has actually fallen by 10% due to climatic conditions. Mexico has a dominant market position, and in some countries – such as Japan and Canada – it has a market share of more than 90%. Producers are expecting to have an exceptional season in 2018, which will secure both consistent exports and growth. However, the main challenge will not only be to maintain growth levels, but also to sustain a competitive advantage against other countries in the region, for example Peru, Colombia and Chile.

How can natural resources be preserved to ensure sustainable avocado production in the long term?

ITURBIDE: Protecting natural resources is one of the greatest concerns producers have. We have to guarantee sustainability throughout the cultivation process. Although improvements have been made in terms of sustainability, challenges remain. Meeting regulations related to standards and quality while respecting and protecting the land are our main priorities. These concerns are influenced by the consumer behaviour of millenials, as they demand environmentally and ecofriendly products purchased in organic stores.

In what ways are smaller producers being assisted in their pursuit of higher yields and greater efficiency?

ITURBIDE: Our association is made up of a wide variety of avocado producers – over 23,000 – who come from a range of socio-economic levels and thus have very different demands. However, in terms of this sector’s efficiency, there is a large number of multinational corporations that implement measures to turn the goal of enhancing crop yields with new technologies into a reality. Despite the significant assistance available for achieving this objective, our association must continue to help small-scale producers. The Mexican Association of Avocado Producers and Exporters (la Asociación de Productores y Empacadores Exportadores de Aguacate de México, APEAM) is working with the National Institute of Ecology to facilitate access to advanced technologies. For example, it will cost $1bn to control thrips – a type of insect – which have an effect on the floration and appearance of plants.

APEAM is not the only organisation investing in promoting new technologies, there are also local and international entrepreneurs investing in the development of new value-added products, production plans and supply chain efficiencies.

Having an avocado market on the rise highlights the importance of improving productivity along the value chain. The great social advantage of the association, thanks to its large base of avocado producers, is the socio-economic development it can facilitate for small producers, as well as the technologies it can incorporate along the entire value chain.

Given recent avocado export growth, how can international trade links be developed?

ITURBIDE: A strong logistics chain exists in the sector, and an increasing number of companies are positioning themselves to increase their cold chain distribution capacity. Close collaboration with Customs authorities has made the US border more efficient in processing agricultural cargo shipments. The availability of multiple repacking facilities and ripening rooms is making a shorter delivery time possible, and the supply chain is consolidating in a more organised manner as a result. Furthermore, Jalisco’s production in terms of international trade would not only benefit from improved links with current markets, such as those in Asia, but also with more strategic and convenient locations like the US. For this to be feasible, significant improvements should be made within the transport and logistics sector to make production and delivery times more competitive.