Mexican Affairs Mission Spurs Trade with Mexico
The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Office of Mexican Affairs and Trade participated in a highly successful trade mission, aiding New Mexico food industry businesses looking to expand their product lines to Mexico. The 2009 ExpoAlimentab Food Trade Show was held in Chihuahua City October 22nd-24th, and resulted in many positive gains for participating New Mexico companies.
Chihuahua Governor José Reyes Baeza greets mission participants at the New Mexico booth
“We are proud of the products and services produced in our state and are eager for them to be shared with our southern neighbors,” stated Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragón. “With our recent economic hardships, encouraging trade with Mexico is one more important tool essential to stimulating business and employment growth in New Mexico.”
ExpoAlimentab is Northern Mexico’s largest foods trade show, attracting over 5,000 buyers for industries ranging from packaging and food processing equipment to end food products such as produce, meats, and processed foods. Present at the Expo were a multitude of different buyers including: Wal Mart of México, Sam’s Club, Smart, Bodega Ahorrera, Costco, and HEB.
Mission participants were impressed with the accessibility provided to retailers. Brian Noon of Trans Border Trade Inc. (an agency representing upscale kitchenware products and food products throughout Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas) said, “I was not expecting to meet some of the largest retail groups in Northern Mexico, including Soriana, AlSuper and Casa Ley.” Mr. Noon added, “It was great that I was able to secure appointments (B2B) with them at the fair. Normally, it is not so easy when you're trying to meet with them at their home office.”
Currently, all participants are pursuing leads generated by the contacts made during this official state trade mission.
For more information on future trade events with Mexico, please contact Randy Trask, Director of Mexican Affairs and Trade @ 505-231-0677 or Randall.Trask@state.nm.us.