For the season beginning in September of 2013, and through April of 2014, about 37% of the Mexican fresh fruits and vegetables that were consumed in North America crossed through Nogales. This compares to about 28% of total volume for the crossing region in South Texas, comprised of Pharr and Progresso, Texas.
The 2013 crossing report information, gathered from the USDA website, reflects that Nogales enjoyed a dramatic 17% increase over the prior season versus other ports that have remained flat or realized much smaller increases. This is due to several factors, including improvements at the new Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, which are decreasing the amount of time a truck waits in line at the border.
For instance, the revamped Mariposa Port of Entry has doubled the number of commercial crossing lanes. To add to the processing efficiency, as part of the 2014 Omnibus Spending Bill, Nogales will be receiving 120 additional Customs Officers to facilitate trade at the expanded port. The Arizona Department of Transportation has also made significant improvements on the road leading into the U.S. from the port, including widening and adding additional lanes for vehicles to access I-19.
“The collective commitment to excellence from supporting agencies like Customs, FDA, USDA and Arizona Department of Agriculture reaffirms the region’s drive to continue to be the premier port of entry for perishable products,” said Lance Jungmeyer, President of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, Nogales, Ariz.
“There has never been a better time to be in the Mexican produce importing business, and Nogales has all the tools needed to continue to capitalize on this growth,” Jungmeyer said. “Growers in West Mexico continue to invest in new technology and seed varieties to expand their seasons and bring new produce to market. In the future, we probably won’t even see the historical drop-off in the summertime.”
Items seeing a notable percentage increase through Nogales include:
• Oranges, up 295%, from 12,910,000 pounds in 2012-13 to 51,010,000 pounds in 2013-14
• Seedless watermelon, up 78%, from 370,050,000 pounds in 2012-13 to 657,120,000 pounds in 2013-14
• Cantaloupe, up 52%, from 25,720,000 pounds in 2012-13 to 39,220,000 pounds in 2013-14
• Squash, up 23%, from 446,930,000 pounds in 2012-13 to 551,070,000 pounds in 2013-14
• Cucumbers, up 14%, from 587,340,000 pounds in 2012-13 to 667,230,000 pounds in 2013-14
