Mexico Should Be Major Canadian Bean Buyer

VANCOUVER - May 15/07 - SNS -- Mexico should become a major market for Canadian dry edible bean producers once import tariffs are eliminated next year under terms of the North American Free trade Agreement (NAFTA), believes Agriculture Canada's Stan Skrypetz.

"The elimination is expected to increase imports because it will be easier to import dry beans," says Skrypetz, Pulse and Special Crops Analyst, Market Analysis Division, Research & Analysis Directorate, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

"It will also give Canadian exporters equal access with US exporters because the TRQ, which favors the US, will no longer apply. However, the level of the growth in imports will depend on the volumes of dry beans produced and used in Mexico."

There has been a downward trend in seeded area in recent years, but improved varieties and cultivation techniques has resulted in greater increases in yields.

"The Government of Mexico extended the Concurrent Special Program (CSP) through 2012. This program aims to improve rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity and competitiveness. Included under the CSP is a program through which producers of dry beans, as well as corn, sugar cane, wheat, rice, sorghum, soybeans, safflower seed, cotton and barley, receive financial support.

"This program was to have expired in 2008, but the Mexican government decided to renew it for another two and a half years. There is also an emergency plan to offer financial support to producers of corn, dry beans, sugar cane and milk in response to the elimination of import tariffs in 2008," Skrypetz said.

His comments about dry edible beans continue:

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