In an interview for Veggies From Mexico, Oscar Morales, CEO of SCS Global Services Mexico, shares what has it been like to devote his professional career to food safety and the farming sector.

Oscar, a native of Mexico City who graduated from a bachelor’s degree in business administration, explains that he stared his career in the commercial field at the age of 17, an area that has always been one of his greatest passions.

In 2006, he had the opportunity to work at a certification body, where he held various positions until becoming National Sales Manager. During this time, he also participated on market expansion in different cities.

By 2010, Oscar joined SCS Global Services, focusing on the agri-food sector. Over the years, he has grown professionally, developing the market and gaining an in-depth understanding of the industry. Today, he leads SCS Mexico, driving business growth and strengthening the presence of the company within the farming sector.

1. What have you enjoyed the most about building a career within the food safety and certification industry?

It is an industry with significant growth and opportunities, but what I have liked the most is the impact it generates. Knowing that through our work we help growers improve their processes and, at the same time, prevent risks for consumers is something that truly makes me proud.

But I also see it as a great responsibility, of doing this right and maintaining high standards.

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2. Would you mind telling us a little bit about SCS Global Services, how many industries do you offer services globally, and in which countries are you currently operating?

As the name indicates, today we are a global company. Our headquarters are located in San Francisco, California, and we have offices in Mexico, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Indonesia, with representation in Africa, Australia, Europe, China, India, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia. We provide over 100 services across different industries such as Agriculture and Food, Natural Resources, Climate, Biofuels and Energy, Environment, among others.

3. And within SCS Global Services Mexico, what are your main services and in which industries?

In Mexico, it should be noted that we are the first subsidiary of SCS Global, established 27 years ago. Our main services include audits and trainings in Food Safety, Social Responsibility, and Sustainability for the Food and Agriculture industries. Also, we provide certifications for organic production and processing.

4. How important is it for farming companies to hold a third-party certification?

Third-party certification is essential because it provides credibility, transparency, and trust to the market. Unlike self-assessment, independent certification ensures that processes comply with worldwide-known standards.

For farming companies, this translates into three key benefits:

• Access to international markets, particularly with demanding retailers.
• Reduction of operational and sanitary risks.
• Continuous improvement, by adopting more structured and preventive practices.

5. How has the evolution and competitivity of the farming industry from Mexico been in other markets over the last 10 years?

Over the past decade, Mexico has experienced an incredibly positive evolution, consolidating itself as one of the leading farm exporters worldwide.

This is due to:

• Adopting international certifications.
• Professionalization of the sector.
• Strategic proximity with markets such as the United States.

However, competitivity is no longer based exclusively on price or volume, but on compliance with standards, traceability, sustainability, and social responsibility. Mexico has advanced, but market demands continue on the rise.

6. What importance do you believe the agri-food sector has in Mexico, and what are the main challenges growers face today?

The agri-food sector is strategic to Mexico, not only because of its economic contribution but also for its impact on employment, exports,and food security.

The main challenges include:

• Climate change and water availability.
• Compliance with increasingly stringent international regulations.
• Shortage of skilled labor.
• Need for technification and digitalization.
• Pressure to adopt more sustainable practices.

The great challenge is to grow more, with higher quality, but with lower environmental impact and greater social responsibility.

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7. Could you share what sustainability is and what certification trends you observe in industry worldwide?

Sustainability means operating in a balanced manner in three dimensions: environmental, social, and economic, ensuring business viability to a long-term.

Globally, we see clear trends:

• Integrating sustainability with food safety.
• A greater focus on carbon footprint, water, and biodiversity.
• Growth of social certifications such as SMETA or Fair Trade.
• Demand for full transparency across the supply chain.

Today, it is no longer enough to produce safe food; the market demands it to be both responsible and sustainable.

8. How do you integrate new technologies such as blockchain and the use of Artificial Intelligence into your services, and how have you seen it applied recently?

Blockchain improves traceability, while AI helps preventing risks and optimize processes. These technologies are already being used to identify problems in real time. SCS has its own traceability processes using updated technology.

9. What are the main trends you believe will impact the industry in the coming years?

The agri-food industry is undergoing a significant transformation, mostly driven by market demands, consumer expectations, and regulatory changes globally.

Some of the trends that I consider will impact on the industry in the coming years are:

• Digitalization of the field (precision agriculture).
• Greater demand in sustainability and decarbonization.
• Increase in traceability and transparency.

• Integration of ESG criteria (environmental, social, and governance).
• Consolidation of more complete and comprehensive certifications.

The industry is moving towards a model where efficiency, sustainability, and trust will be equally important.

10. In what ways do you believe consumers have changed in the past 10 years, and what impact has this had on the farming industry worldwide?

The consumer today is much more informed and demanding.

Today, the consumer is seeking:

• Safe and high-quality products.
• Information about product origin.
• Sustainable and ethical practices.

This has obliged the farming industry to transform, adopting certifications, improving traceability, and becoming more transparent.

In sum, consumers no longer buy just a product; they buy trust, responsibility, and values.

11. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you so much for the space.
I would just like to emphasize that today, companies in the sector no longer compete only on price or volume, but on trust, quality, and responsibility.

My invitation is to continue investing in continuous improvement and sustainability, because this is no longer the future… it is what defines today who remains in the market and who is left behind.

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