Exports of agricultural and fishing products from Mexico increased 5 percent in March compared to the previous year, totaling over $2.1 billion.
Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reports the most biggest increases were fresh strawberries with almost 70 percent, citrus with 50 percent, raw coffee beans at 31 percent, pepper and edible fruits and nuts with 28 percent and 19 percent, respectively.
There were reductions, however, with avocados by 15 percent and tomatoes declining nearly 13 percent decrease compared to the previous year.
The association said during the first quarter of 2021, agricultural exports totaled over $5.5 billion, which is similar to last year which was more than $5.4 billion.
Livestock and fishing showed a 6.3 percent increase in February year-on-year, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography’s Global Indicator of Economic Activity (IGAE).
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 percent.