Mexico increased pangasius imports in 2014

Mexico is listed in the top 8 Vietnam pangasius importing markets. Frozen pangasius fillets exports to Mexico reported positive growth but the price was not higher than that from 2013.  

Among frozen whitefish fillets, pangasius was the most imported item, followed by tilapia and Alaska pollock. Price of pangasius was relatively lower than tilapia.

Mexico has expanded and developed the tilapia farming in the recent years. The country focuses on achieving international certifications for tilapia rearing. Mexico has its the first tilapia farm certified best aquaculture practices (BAP) by Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA).

In mid July 2014, Mexico National Service for Agro-Alimentary Public Health (SENASICA), under Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) announced that from 29th July 2014, all seafoods (farmed and captured) imported into this country must comply with new quarantine regulations of SENASICA.

Mexico is the one of the biggest economies in Latin America. More than a half (about 55%) of imports into this market are from Americas, while Asian countries account more than 30%. Many economic organizations expect that Mexico will surpass Brazil to become the largest economy in Latin America in the next decade. This will be an advantage to boost exports of pangasius and other seafoods into this market in the near future.