MEXICO

Feedback from the Trade on Their Plans and Interest in the USA Pear Season:

Importers mentioned they continue to be interested in importing USA Pears. Affordable prices at origin and good quality have motivated them to increase the volumes imported. They consider there is a good demand in Mexico for Northwest pears and the market could continue growing, at this moment they are requesting the loads to supply their customers during the Christmas season and they are expecting to import other varieties besides Anjou, Bosc and Bartlett.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

The only risk about freight and logistic challenges that importers are considering, is related to the Christmas tree season in the U.S., because this limits the trucks' availability to bring down pears from the growing areas to the border.

Opportunities in Your Market for Specific Varieties, Sizes, and Grades:

Anjou pears continue being the most wanted variety in Mexico; other varieties have a great opportunity if their price is competitive in comparison with Anjou pears, including Bosc, Bartlett, and others. Regarding sizes, 90s to 110s size is preferred, but smaller or bigger sizes can be handled if price continues being competitive. In terms of grades, Mexico can handle US #1 and lower because product can be sold in retail stores or traditional channels.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

USA Pears reported 82% pear market share at wholesale, 55% at supermarket stores and 70% at traditional channels; sales and quality were reported as good. Pears from Argentina were available at wholesale level, representing 7% pear market share, 17% at supermarket stores and 18% at traditional channels. Quality was good and good sales were reported, it is expected volumes will decrease because importers do not expect more arrivals. Pears from California were available at wholesale, representing 10% pear market share, 14% at supermarket stores and 5% at traditional channels. Quality went from fair to good, sales were reported as good also; it is expected volumes will decrease for the next month. Pears from Chile were just available at supermarket stores with 3% pear market share. Quality and sales were reported as good, and it is expected volumes will continue decreasing for the upcoming period. Pears from China were available at wholesale, representing 1% pear market share, while in supermarket stores share was 11% and 3% at traditional channels. Quality was good but had low sales due to its higher price and limited availability.

Political or Economic Issues Impacting Imports, Retail, or Consumer Behavior:

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and United States President Donald Trump have agreed to extend a looming trade deadline for “a few more weeks” to discuss pending issues with Washington. The U.S. agreed in July to pause for 90 days an increase in tariffs on some Mexican goods to 30 percent – from 25 percent – as the two countries continued talks aimed at reaching a new trade deal. That pause was set to end this week. “I was interested in making sure that November 1 didn’t arrive without us having communicated and that we were in agreement that our teams were still working,” Sheinbaum said in her regular morning press conference, adding that the two countries were aiming to resolve 54 outstanding trade barriers. “We’re practically closing this issue,” she said.

Other Brief Comments:

Walmart plans to grow more in Mexico and trusts Bodega Aurrera to compete against Tiendas 3B. The retailer maintains its commitment to Mexico with the opening of new stores, while reinforcing its strategy in regions with growth potential thanks to an expanding middle class. During the third quarter of the year, Walmart de México opened 19 Aurrerá stores: 14 Bodega Aurrerá Express, four Mi Bodega and one Bodega Aurrerá. In total, the brand has 2,606 units: 623 Bodega, 503 Mi Bodega and 1,480 Bodega Aurrerá Express. As for the rest of the formats, in the quarter that ended in September, the company opened three Walmart Supercenters and one Sam's Club in the country. The format that has shown the most timid growth is Walmart Express, although this does not mean that its expansion is on pause.