The Mexican table grape producer Agrofesa has switched to vegetable production during the off-season following a reasonably good 2023 harvest. According to César Ortiz, CEO of Agrofesa: "We particularly finished in late June. Our volumes were decent overall, while the Mexican grape season was extremely challenging. We hit an empty pipeline in all colors. The Chilean deal finished earlier than anticipated and with lower yields too. Despite hitting an extremely dry pipeline, the Mexico deal started extremely late due to a usual cold spring."
Ortiz gives a short review of the past grape season as they turn their attention to vegetable and watermelon production. "The first half of the season, demand exceeded supply; prices were significantly higher for that period, but during the second half, everything turned around. Supplies increased substantially, and demand decreased significantly, which led to a very slow movement and lower prices. Some fruit categories, such as organic, became very slow. We finished our season with good yields, quality was outstanding."
Agrofesa capitalizes on their good position in Mexico with relatively easy access to the US market. Their produce are marketed domestically, in Canada, Europe, and different Asian countries. "We are currently planting Zucchini and Yellow Squash, both organic and conventional, Green Bell Peppers, both organic and conventional, Eggplant, Slicer Cucumber, Honey Dew, and Seedless Watermelons. We will begin our Pecan Nut harvest by mid-late September."
Truly uplifting workers and their families
Vegetable production helps Agrofesa to not only keep their workforce busy all year round, but they are very focused on changing the lives of their workers and their families. It has been a year since opening their purpose-built cafeteria to provide free daily meals to their workers and their families totaling 400 people, as well as eventually supporting the surrounding communities, says Ortiz.
"The new canteen is doing well. It has been a year since we started operating, and so far, we have learned many interesting things to improve on a consistent basis. In addition, we have some new social programs in place: Seeds of the Future: Back to School; we are supplying our co-worker's children with basic school materials and backpacks for their incoming school year. So far, around 120 families have benefited from this new program, which we intend to preserve in the years to come.
Prescription Lenses: This program is aimed at all of our collaborators to be able to apply for an ophthalmic study and have access to a brand new pair of prescription glasses in case of need. On-Site ambulance: in the upcoming weeks, we will now have an on-site ambulance to be able to transport any collaborator who has a medical condition that can't or shouldn't be treated in our on-site clinic," concludes Ortiz.
For more information:
César Ortiz
Agrofesa
Tel.: +52 (662) 2-62-05-60/64
Email: [email protected]
www.agrofesa.com
