Mexico’s imports of fish and seafood are mainly focused on species that either complement an insufficient local production or are not available in Mexico.
The United States is Mexico’s largest supplier in the Other Seafood Category and ranks fourth after Venezuela, China and Belize as a foreign supplier of Crustaceans.
The United States is the largest supplier of fresh fish sold to Mexico with a 65.47 per cent share of final imports in 2007 down by 14.47 per cent in 2006.
Imports of frozen fish mainly from Taiwan, have grown more rapidly than US imports. The US had a 6.12 per cent share in value out of the US $66.5 million imported during 2007 and represents the fourth market for Mexico, after China, Taiwan and Costa Rica.
The most significant imported products are frozen fillets of Nishin (Clupea Spp.), Tara (Gadus Spp., Theragra Spp. And Merluccius Spp.), Buri (Seriola Spp.), Saba (Scomber Spp.), Iwashi (Etrumeus Spp).
The Mexican Fish and Seafood Industry
Mexico offers enormous possibilities for production and commerce, as it has a great variety of natural resources which are presently under-exploited. According to specialists and researchers, there are more than 800 species in Mexico that can be fished, of which only 305 species have been fully identified in national waters, 60 of which are of main economic importance. Nevertheless, the Mexican consumer is offered very few species of fish and seafood in the market place.
According to Conapesca, Comision de Acuacultura y Pesca (National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries), Mexican Consumption of Fresh and Frozen Fish and Seafood for 2004 and 2005 was:
| 2004 | 2005 | |
|---|---|---|
| Imports | 46,513 | 28,446 |
| Production | 1,483,220 | 1,437,127 |
| (Exports) | 29,018 | 42,140 |
| TOTAL | 1,500,715 | 1,423,443 |
| Annual growth | -5.1% | |
| Import share | 3% | 2% |
| Data from Conapesca | ||
Total consumption of fresh and frozen fish and seafood in Mexico reached 1,423,443 tons in 2005, reflecting a 5.1 per cent reduction as compared with the 1,500,715 tons sold in 2004. This data reflects a lower local production and a 45.22 per cent increase in exports and a 62 per cent decrease in imports.
Total Mexican imports of fish and seafood reached US $302.2 million in 2006, reflecting a 29 per cent increase as compared to 2005. The US $23.7 million imports of 2006 were in turn 22 per cent below the US $29 million of 2005.
During 2005, exports, represented 3 per cent of the total production, and are 1.48 times larger than imports, providing Mexico with a 13,684 ton or US $ 60.65 million trade surplus.
Distribution Channel of Fish and Seafood in Mexico
The Mexican market of fish and seafood targets the final consumer through wholesale fish markets, supermarkets and at traditional markets for fresh produce that handle fish and seafood as well. Imports are sold through importers (who many times act as distributors), distributors and wholesalers. Direct sales by the fisheries themselves are uncommon. Some large supermarkets also import directly.
Fish and seafood is consumed by practically all sectors of the Mexican population, although rural inhabitants consume less fish and seafood than urban inhabitants La Nueva Viga, which is the biggest wholesale market in Mexico City that is comprised of around 200 warehouses that buy and distribute fish and seafood serving mostly the central to southern part of Mexico, though sometimes products are also sent to northern parts of Mexico.
According to Roberto Gutierrez, President of the National Society of Distributors and Introducers of Fish and Seafood, the distribution of fish and seafood in Mexico is no longer concentrated in Mexico City. Presently, Guadalajara and Tijuana are playing an important role in the distribution of fish and seafood throughout the middle and northern parts of the country.
Tourism is eight percent of GDP and represents six percent of total employment. Mexico is ranked as the seventh largest tourist destination in the world, with 4.01 per cent of all world tourists. Mexico attracts an estimated at 120 million foreign visitors annually, who spend close to ten billion dollars. Tourism is Mexico’s third foreign exchange earning industry, and there are many investments earmarked to attract more foreign visitors.
Good opportunities for imported products have been identified in all-inclusive resorts and hotels as well as restaurants. Hotels and restaurants purchase either directly at the wholesale markets, or have agreements with distributors for periodical deliveries.
The Mexican restaurant industry comprises 225,000 registered establishments that generate 525,000 direct positions and 410,000 indirect jobs, representing 2.4 per cent of total employment in Mexico and contributing 3.7 percent to Mexico's GDP. Mexico City has the largest concentration of restaurants with approximately 31,000 establishments (of which 2,500 are of international tourism quality).
Prospects for Growth
The most effective way to promote US fish and seafood in Mexico is through key importers/distributors that work with the hotel, restaurants and supermarket industries. Potential products are presented to buyers, which initially sample taste the products prior to negotiating a purchase. A visible presence in the market is essential to establishing credibility with both distributors and consumers. Therefore, marketing is extremely important.
Due to tariff reductions realized through NAFTA, some products from the US and Canada are competitive in the Mexican market. However, higher priced US products like salmon remain less competitive against Chilean salmon which has a very strong position in the Mexican market. Competitive pricing is key to introducing US products to the Mexican market.
Purchasing decisions in the Mexican HRI sector are commonly left up to the consumer. For example, food and beverage managers and chefs sample the products and prepare new dishes that include them as a daily special and if popular with the consumers, then the chefs include them in the regular menu.
There are no import barriers for fish and seafood sold in Mexico. The general import climate in Mexico is favorable since Mexico joined the GATT in 1986 and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in 1993. Under this agreement, import duties were all reduced to zero on January 1, 2003 on products of US origin. Under the Mexico-Chile free trade agreement, Mexican duties on Chilean fish and seafood were eliminated with the exceptions of the following: Lobster 030611, 030612, and shrimp, prawn and decapodes nantia 030613.
Imported fish appeals mainly to more affluent Mexicans which constitute the top 20 per cent of the income distribution. These consumers reside almost entirely in the major cities. Middle and upper income households account for almost 30 per cent of the populations of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Conversely, those three cities include one-third of all Mexicans in those income groups, creating a market of about eight million people who can afford high end fish and seafood products. Other relatively affluent cities with a population of one million or more include Toluca, Puebla, León and Torreón.
Important factors that affect imported products are importation costs directly affected by transportation costs, delivery time, credit and financing, product knowledge, customer service and technical support. Financing as mentioned has, in the past, been a key factor in purchasing decisions.
The Mexican market for US fish and seafood products represent an important niche market for US products as hotel, restaurants and catering services are always looking for high quality products. An emerging trend in Mexico is towards healthy eating. A trend that some chefs consider as an opportunity to include a wider variety of fish and shellfish. The idea is to send a message to the consumer that fish and seafood can be innovative and delicious.
