MEXICO

Feedback from the Trade on Their Plans and Interest in the USA Pear Season:

Importers are interested in continuing to import USA Pears. Several of them are having difficulties getting the volumes they need from the shippers. Even though the price is high, there is an opportunity in the market due to the high demand from traditional channels and other mid-level wholesalers.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

To date, there have not been any challenges related to freight or logistics.

Opportunities in Your Market for Specific Varieties, Sizes, and Grades:

Mexico is an elastic market and can handle several varieties, sizes, and quality grades, but one important aspect is the price at origin. Currently there is a demand for Bosc due to its low availability, but in general Green Anjou has the highest demand. Sizes to supply supermarket chains are large (80-100) and traditional channels request small sizes. Importers are requesting the Eurobox package due to it being easier to sell half a standard box to traditional channels given the current USA Pears cost.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

USA Pears reported 99% pear market share at wholesale, 95% at supermarket stores and 99% at traditional channels. Pears from Argentina held 3% pear market share at supermarket stores. Quality and sales were fair. This origin is not expected to be available in the next period. Pears from China at wholesale represented 1% pear market share with 2% in retail stores. California Bosc in traditional channels represented 1% with fair quality and sales, but availability is ending.

Political or Economic Issues Impacting Imports, Retail, or Consumer Behavior:

Importers are concerned about the tariffs that the new U.S. administration could apply to Mexico in February and the reaction from the Mexican government, with potential retaliatory tariffs impacting USA Pear imports.

Other Brief Comments:

Importers mentioned that due to the low availability of USA Pears, they are having problems when requesting quotes, with some shippers saying they no longer have availability. They feel that it is important to maintain the supply of Northwest pears to Mexico to satisfy the consumer demand.