Industry leaders met in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, August 29 and 30, 2013, at the 6th Annual AMHPAC (Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture) Conference. With over 350 executives in attendance, the conference allowed AMHPAC membership and industry experts to discuss the association’s commitment to strength. Attendees were given the opportunity to network with industry professionals during the conference and further personal dialogue about the growth and potential of the protected agriculture industry.
A General Assembly started the event on Thursday, August 29, attended by partners, associates and sponsors of the AMHPAC, as well as the members of the Board of Directors for the Association.
A panel discussion was developed on the tomato dumping issue within the program of the event, attended by Martin Ley (Fresh Evolution), Mario Haroldo Robles (CIDH-CAADES), German Gandara (Agricola Ganfer) and Carlos Espinoza (Agricola EPSA).
During the event, AMHPAC renewed its Board of Directors choosing Juan Ariel Reyes Rabago, director of Inposa, located in Municipio de San Felipe, Mexico, as president for the period 2013-2015.
The second day focused on an analysis of economic perspectives and trends of the agriculture sector. The Technical and Business sessions covered key current topics including:
· Proposed rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act,
· Protected Horticulture in Mexico,
· Setting a business strategy in the largest consumer market in the world, and
· Search and consolidation of new markets for Mexican vegetables.
During this section of the conference, hosted by the director-general manager of AMHPAC, Alfredo Diaz Belmontes, expert speakers presented topics of interest to attendees from Holland, United States, France, Canada and Mexico. Additionally, panel discussions allowed attendees the opportunity to interchange and network with experts.
According to Alfredo Diaz Belmontes, general manager for AMHPAC, “The future direction for AMHPAC is to position ourselves internationally as a resource to provide results resolving industry issues. Our technical and food safety strategies lead and assist industry growers with good business practices to be profitable.”
Belmontes adds, “AMHPAC is an organization of excellence and provides best practices for industry. The internal strategies and collaboration with government agencies provides tools to our associates. Competition is always a challenge. However, we are quality growers with a quality product, so competition is always good since that keeps the quality up for all of us, and the one who wins in the end is the consumer. We have found that diversification of imports to other areas of the world with varying commodities from Mexico will prove successful, and we are interested in meeting the needs of the market with quality products from Mexico and meeting the demand of the consumers.”
As new president of AMHPAC, Juan Ariel Reyes mentioned he has many goals. “I am very proud and humbled to be the president of AMHPAC,” he said. “I feel honored to be in this position and will do my very best for the growth of our industry and our association.” Reyes adds, “we have associates in 25 of the 31 states of Mexico, and we will continue to strengthen and grow a united organization.”
Reyes noted the strength of AMHPAC is in its growers. “The first item on my agenda as president is to travel all around Mexico to producers to assist them with AMHPAC strengths that will further unite growers and assist in looking for new markets,” he explained. “My strength that I add to this position is that I am the new kid on the block with 7 years in the business with hands-on experience. I am a proud grower of Mexican produce, and I thoroughly enjoy working with the crop, workers and the sales team, which allows me to keep my finger on the pulse of the business and industry.”
For more information about AMHPAC: www.amhpac.org
Source: Perishable News
