Mexico has invested MXN609.4 million (US$47.7 million) in a state of the art pineapple packaging center in Veracruz state for exports to the U.S., Canada and Europe, the government reported.

Agriculture Minister Francisco Mayorga Castañeda said the centre was a good example of producers, the government and commercial banks working together to expand Mexico's pineapple market on the international stage.

Humid Tropics Program general coordinator Pedro Ernesto Castillo Cave, said his organization and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development and Fishing's (SAGARPA) had offered initial funding which had helped raise the total capital.

"This shows that when done right from the start, the results are positive for all involved in the production chain," he said.

The centre will service 397 producers, generate 6,000 jobs and has an export target of 45,000 metric tons (MT) a year by 2014.

Pineapple Product System president Joel Naranjo, said Mexico is the ninth largest producer in the world with a commercial value in the market of MXN2 billion (US$156 million) generating 70,000 jobs .

He said with the help of SAGARPA the sector has increased exports by 124% since 2006 shipping nearly 50,000MT in  2010. He said the Veracruz state contributes 75% of production, with 515,000MT per year.

Photo: SAGARPA

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