Agrifood and fishing exports from Mexico to China during the first half of the year totaled 399 million dollars, which meant an increase of 16.4 percent compared to the same period in 2020, when they totaled 342.8 million dollars, reported the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development.

He highlighted that the first place in the ranking is occupied by pork sales, with 139.9 million dollars, an increase of 9.0 percent in terms of value, and 18 percent in volume (51,739 tons), according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture in Japan.

The federal agency indicated that in the case of this product, the negotiation between the General Administration of Customs of China (AGA) and the National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality (Senasica) is progressing in updating the existing bilateral protocol.

It seeks to include pork viscera within the list of products allowed for export to China and authorization of new Federal Inspection Type Establishments (TIF) so that they can send shipments to that destination, he noted.

He pointed out that the second most important export is fishmeal, where AGA and Senasica are in the process of renewing the eight companies authorized to export, the inclusion of two more and the negotiation of a new zoo sanitary certificate for export of this product.

The secretariat stressed that in the first half of the year, fishmeal sales increased 70 percent in terms of value, compared to the same period of 2020, adding $61.7 million dollars, while in volume they grew 64 percent, to 40,973 tons. He explained that fishmeal is an important input in animal feed, particularly in aquaculture, an activity that has experienced strong expansion worldwide in recent years.

Mexico has gradually positioned itself as a reliable supplier for China. In 2020 it ranked eighth, below Peru, which dominates the market with a 46 percent share, Chile (9%), Vietnam (8%) and the United States (7%).

In the case of avocado, the Secretariat indicated that Mexico continues to await the technical observations of the General Administration of Customs of China, to continue with the Pest Risk Analysis that allow the access of the Jalisco avocado to this market.

He highlighted that during the first half of the year, Michoacán avocado sales in China amounted to $12.9 million dollars, an increase of 164 percent compared to last year, which reflects the economic recovery in that destination once the effects strongest of the pandemic have been left behind. In terms of volume, he added, Michoacan avocado sales to the Asian country grew 207 percent in the first six months of 2021, accumulating 5,356 tons.

The secretariat explained that other products with high demand in the Chinese market are lobster, whose exports increased 149 percent in terms of value (45.4 million dollars), while in volume they registered an increase of 46 percent (557 tons), in said period. Shellfish sales to China increased 41 percent in the first six months of 2021, adding $15.2 million dollars, while in volume they totaled 1,290 tons, a growth of 43 percent compared to the period January-June last year, he noted.