It’s hard to imagine the impact on the U.S. produce industry of a region with a population of just 45,000 full-time residents. Nogales and Rio Rico, AZ, and Nogales, Mexico, are unique as adjacent cities where cultural, linguistic, and familial ties have moved fluidly across the international border for generations. There is a sense of community and shared purpose.
With the Mariposa port of entry seeing upwards of 6 billion tons of fresh produce crossing the border each year, most in the industry were concerned about the renegotiation of North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA.
Will the retooled trade charter, simply known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA be as advantageous for Nogales as its predecessor?
The rebuilt and expanded Mariposa port opened in 2014 with high expectations. By 2016, the consensus was that the facility was first-rate, but hindered by a shortage of border agents and staff to expedite the volume of trade.
As of late 2018, traffic has been running fairly smoothly, even during peak season from November through May.
Miguel “Miky” Suarez, sales manager for MAS Melons & Grapes, LLC said, “For the size of the industry, problems are few. Twenty-five hundred trucks a day cross in peak season, and for the most part, it’s handled efficiently. Since we handle fruit, we’re a bit counter to most of the traffic. When vegetable season is in full swing, our volume is low. When vegetables are finished, we’re busy again in May, June, and July.”
Roberto Franzone is director of Arizona Sky Produce, Inc., which serves as a broker and importer/exporter for companies that don’t have a presence in Nogales. “I was born in Canada, work in the United States, and ship from Mexico—so I have a multinational perspective,” he said.
“As for the port at Mariposa, I’ve noticed in last two to three years things are more efficient—people are selling product that has already hit their floor. There hasn’t been as much waiting or loads not showing up.”
Year over year, Franzone believes efficiency is up by as much as 30 percent.
Joe Bernardi is president of Bernardi & Associates, Inc., a broker/distributor specializing in tomatoes, squash, bell peppers, and cucumbers. In his view, things are looking up. “Operations have smoothed out over last year,” he said.
“With the border expansion and the increase in agents, crossing is easier. It’s all working better than in the past.”
This is an excerpt from the most recent Produce Blueprints quarterly journal. Click here to read the full supplement.
