The Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC) is in search of new tomato markets to offset the impacts of any potential U.S. anti-dumping decisions in the future.

AMHPAC CEO Alfredo Diaz Belmontes told www.freshfruitportal.com that despite reaching an agreement in March to renew a suspension agreement - which prevents anti-dumping action - under new reference prices, Florida tomato growers continued to seek legal action against the Mexican industry.

"After we signed the agreement in we’ve still been hanging by a thread because there is still no resolution; the situation could go in favor of them and put an end to the anti-dumping extension agreement," he said.

"We cannot be depending on one market because it makes us vulnerable; we need to have a portfolio of markets, so that our members have various options and that their exportable supply can be distributed in a way that better suits them."

Diaz Belmontes added that around 90% of AMHPAC's production was exported, mostly to the U.S. and Canada.

He said the association was working with different government agencies including ProMéxico and the Secretariat of Economy to evaluate the market potential of different global markets, along with their phytosanitary regulations.

"At the moment I can’t say which ones will be the best evaluated, as we’re just starting the process, which is for some countries in Europe, Asia, and also South America.

"We would like to explore the possibility of Mercosur, to see the demand in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay; it’s a significant amount of people and a big potential market."

He said while some markets would likely prove to be more profitable than others, the ease of phytosanitary measures would be a very strong factor and deciding the markets where AMHPAC members would ship their produce.

The topic was an important one at the association's recent annual convention in Puerto Vallarta, which was attended by 350 people. Diaz Belmontes said the morning of the event was almost entirely devoted to the issue of food safety, especially in light of recent disease outbreaks linked to Mexican produce.

"The fact that our products remain safe will enable us to keep having the prestige of quality, and maintain the market where we are positioned.

"My personal opinion in general terms is that it’s a fundamental issue that we observe good practices in terms of food safety. If we have good practices we will keep having an important market like what we have in the United States."

AMHPAC has been hosting food safety training seminars for its members throughout the country since June, including San Luis Potosi, Queretaro, Salamanca, Zamora and Ensenada.

"In the coming days we’ll be in Pueblo and Veracruz. And then for the rest of the year we’ll be giving courses to our members on food safety, among other issues."

From a growing perspective, he said tomatoes represented 60% of what AMHPAC members produced, followed by cucumbers (20%), peppers (17%), and eggplants as well as other crops.

He highlighted growers were expecting a slightly better crop this autumn-winter season.

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