Mexico’s agricultural and fishing exports grew five percent year-on-year in March, totaling over US$2.1 billion according to data obtained by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico.
The most important export increases were fresh strawberries with almost 70 percent, citrus with 50%, raw coffee beans at 31 percent, pepper and edible fruits and nuts with 28% and 19 percent, respectively.
However, reductions were seen as avocados decreased 15 percent and tomatoes with almost a 13 percent decrease compared to last year.
The association said during the first quarter of 2021, agricultural exports totaled over US$5.5 billion, which is similar to last year which was more than US$5.4 billion.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography’s Global Indicator of Economic Activity (IGAE), agriculture, livestock and fishing showed a 6.3 percent increase in February year-on-year.
Agri-food balance surplus
During the first two months of 2021, the country’s agricultural and agro-industrial balance (agri-food balance) showed a surplus of over $1.7 billion.
Agri-food exports grew over 2.6 percent year-on-year by adding more than $6.7 billion, while agricultural and agribusiness imports increased 7.3 percent, increasing $5 billion year-on-year.
Mexico’s total agri-food trade reached over $11.7 billion in the first two months of 2021.
In the agroindustrial sector, exports totaled $3.4 billion, showing annual growth of 9.5%.