North America is a produce exporter’s dream: millions of hungry consumers with money to spend, craving their favorite fresh fruits and vegetables all year long, regardless of season.
Rising powerhouses in Latin America are now part of the export equation, and several countries are finding plenty of opportunity in the United States and Canada to give Mexico a run for its money. See how the countries profiled in this supplement each play a role in fulfilling the needs of the produce industry and food trends in the North.
Overall, the import market to the United States and Canada is in the trillions and when it comes to produce, the dollar signs are no less staggering. But the siren call of abundance isn’t the only thing fueling the 24/7/365 availability of imported produce.
Advances in storage technology and infrastructure, more efficient growing practices, less expensive labor, and more disposable income at home also play key roles in continued growth.
As most would surmise, the vast majority of fruit and vegetable imports coming into North America are from Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. How these trading partners are vying for market share, however, is evolving.
Mexico still accounts for the lion’s share of imports, supplying the United States with almost half of its imported fruit and more than two-thirds of its imported vegetables—spurring a great deal of activity throughout the produce supply chain.
But as more countries in Central and South America step up to the plate, it’s a win-win for North American suppliers, retailers, and consumers.
This is an excerpt from the most recent Produce Blueprints quarterly journal. Click here to read the full article.
