AMHPAC’s 8th Annual Convention was held August 27th and 28th of August, 2015 at the Hotel Sheraton Buganvillias in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Attending the conference this year were over 385 participants and key decision makers from around the world to discuss greenhouse industry topics. This year’s conference theme: Generating Opportunities Leading to Success.
27th of August commenced with educational panel discussions reviewing and advancing Organic Agricultural Opportunities, followed by several micro sessions: U.S. Modernization Act in Food Safety, Consumer Market Trends, Climate Change / Impact on Protected Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture and its Involvement on the Market.
The second day of the conference 28th of August began with panel discussions on Social Responsibility then followed by panel discussions of Insurance within the Protected Horticultural, trailed by a Key Note Presentation of Analyzing the Economic and Political Environment of Mexico.
Juan Ariel Reyes Rabago, President of AMHPAC mentioned that growers and producers are making strides in within the financial and insurance industries, Reyes adds “For the first time banks and insurance companies are working together and collaborating with AMHPAC growers and inquiring about the specific financial needs of the agricultural industry as well as the specific insurance needs that surround producers that are affected by weather. Additionally, there have been several combined meetings with the entities of insurance and banks to recognize and educated them as to the needs of the industry, so that banks may provide loans to the producers, producers may be insured by insurance companies resulting and enabling producers to grow volume in their hectares.”
Reyes adds, “As AMHPAC growers it is imperative for us to communicate to the U.S. Retailer industry that as producers of the highest standard and quality fruits and vegetables, we are united as one local grower for the United States and place high emphasis on food safety certifications and social responsibility. As “local” growers for the United States, we are able to offer quality year-round volumes.”
Alfredo Diaz, AMHPAC Executive Director when asked how do you see the future for Mexico? Diaz commented, “Mexico’s protected agriculture is a growing industry with millions of tons being produced and exported to the United States. Over eighty-six percent of the production is exported to the United States and of the remaining fourteen percent is consumed within Mexico.” Diaz adds, “We have several concepts that has our focus within AMHPAC and we will continue setting forth goals and accomplishments, 1. Technology and innovation within the industry, 2. Diversification of crops and, 3. Diversification of markets. After this extraordinary event, we are confident that the AMHPAC conference as a solid opportunity for networking – actually we had doubled the amount of key decision makers / producers and industry business owners attending this year and we are seeing that AMHPAC’s Annual Conference is becoming an international leading conference for the protected agricultural industry.” Reyes adds, “It is our priority to be the country and industry association that other trade countries are trying to emulate by providing superior and consistent quality fruits and vegetables to the United States and Canada.”
AMHPAC Communications Manager, Karina Reyes, stated that there were over 385 registered participants with 50 exhibiting booths at this year’s conference. Reyes adds, “We have seen growth a twenty three percent growth year over year at our conference since last year and look forward to planning and organizing next year’s 2016 conference – so stay tuned to find out details of where and when.”
Source: Asociación Mexicana de Horticultura Protegida AC (AMHPAC)
