In an increasingly interconnected world, the earth not only nourishes us but also unites us through its fruits and vegetables. Over the years, globalization has turned food trade into a continuous dance of exports and imports, with each country playing its part.

China, with its great productive capacity, leads the global vegetable export market, sending mainly garlic, onions, and carrots to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan.

I am proud to share that Mexico is the world’s second-largest exporter, with 97 percent of its exports going to the United States. We know the star products very well in Sinaloa: tomatoes with $3 billion, peppers with $1.6 billion, and cucumbers with $812 million.

The third-largest exporter is the Netherlands, slightly below Mexico, with $9.48 billion exported mainly to Germany, Belgium, and England. Their primary product is those perfect tomatoes harvested in high-tech greenhouses. Although their volume and value are less than what Mexico exports in tomatoes, their sales value per kilo are much higher, reflecting their significant marketing efforts.

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On the other hand, the main importers of vegetables in the world include the United States, with its high demand for fresh produce. The U.S. imports vegetables from Mexico, Canada, and Japan, ensuring its population enjoys the freshness of nature, regardless of the season.

Germany is the second-largest importer, with its main suppliers being the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy. Let’s remember that Almeria, in Spain, has more than 40,000 hectares of shade netting where millions of tons of vegetables are yearly produced.

The history of fruits is no different. North American almonds, pistachios, and apples travel to Mexico, Canada, and China, with the United States being the main fruit exporter in the world.

Spain follows, feeding Europe with citrus, strawberries, and watermelons. And of course, we are not left out; Mexico holds the bronze medal, exporting $8.7 billion worth of avocados, strawberries, lemons, berries, and other fruits to the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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Interestingly, the Netherlands is in fourth place, exporting avocados, grapes, bananas, and mangoes to Europe, despite not producing a single kilo of these products. This highlights their great marketing capacity, with Rotterdam serving as the entry point for these fruits from all over the world, to be redistributed in countries such as Germany, Belgium, France, and other European nations. There is much to learn from this dynamic, where without taking the production risks, they benefit enormously from commercialization.

Ironically, while the United States is the world’s leading fruit exporter, it is also the world’s leading fruit importer. Mentioning some products such as avocados, bananas, and grapes. China is the second-largest importer, bringing in $18.8 billion worth of fruit, mainly from Thailand, Chile, Vietnam, and the United States. Interestingly, 35 percent of its imports are an exotic fruit known as durian.

This constant exchange of flavors is a testament to how through the roots we plant in the earth, we connect in profound ways with people and places we may never meet, but which are an essential part of our daily lives.

Source: www.debate.com.mx