U.S. Dry Bean Congress Cements U.S./Mexico Trade Relationship

February 20, 2017
Posted in: News

Participants at the 2017 U.S. Dry Bean Congress in Cancun, Mexico

Despite some uncertainty about the U.S. trade climate, USDBC’s Mexico Bean Congress enjoyed a strong turnout from both U.S. industry representatives and Mexican buyers.  This year the Congress offered a robust Pan American market perspective presenting detailed information on dry beans in South and Central America as well as Mexico.  This is the first year that Americas outlook included a detailed overview of possibilities in Brazil.  Brazil is a new and emerging market for the U.S. dry bean industry and according to the President of the Brazilian Dry Bean Institute (IBRAFE), Marcelo Luders, there are strong possibilities to carve out permanent market share for U.S. dry bean imports.  Dr. Juan Osorno of North Dakota State University (NDSU) also provided an overview of the U.S. dry bean production panorama as well as scientific advances that the U.S. industry continually invests in to improve the quality of our dry bean supply. Attendees also enjoyed a very detailed overview of the Mexican fall/winter and spring/summer harvests from Mexican dry bean expert Juvenal Castorena, indicating that while Mexico has a healthier bean supply this year, there will still be a strong need for imports.
Over the last year, supply shortfall concerns led Mexican trade authorities to open up non NAFTA origin tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for dry beans. While this was only utilized for 15,000 MT of a possible 100,000 MT, and while the U.S. has many competitive advantages in Mexico, it is an indication that we must continue to emphasize that the NAFTA provisions for agriculture are already a success story and that a possible border tax would harm the competitiveness of all U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico.  A particular highlight of the conference was a presentation from USDA/FAS’ Minister Counselor in Mexico City, Lloyd Harbert who reviewed the very positive agricultural trade statistics between our two nations.  Photos and presentations are available on the Congress websitewww.usbeancongress.com.

USDBC Mexico Team led by Raul Caballero and Violeta Picazzo