Mexico's agricultural exports to Russia are set to smash last year's record of US$39 million, according to the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development and Fishing (SAGARPA).

The ministry highlighted bananas, grapefruit and berries as some of the key products exported to Russia, with total agricultural shipments forecast to exceed US$60 million this year.

Gabriel Padilla Maya from Mexico's Agricultural Marketing Service (ASERCA), stressed the importance of recognizing Russia's potential as a market economy destination, which has led to growing business interests between the two countries.

Padilla Maya said agricultural exports to the country grew 114% from 2009 to 2010 with a total volume of 12,000 metric tons (MT).

ASERCA said agricultural businesspeople in Nueva León, Sinaloa, Veracruz, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Tamaulipas have made investments of more than US$200 million this year, which will allow them to triple supply in the short term and ship 90,000MT to Russia next season.

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