Mexican food exports to China to reach $1b: minister

MEXICO CITY - Mexico would export food valued at least $1 billion to China over the next 12 to 18 months, Agriculture Minister Enrique Martinez said Tuesday.

Martinez spoke of his recent visit to China at a press conference, with motives to follow the agreements signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Mexico earlier this month.

Martinez said it was difficult to specify the numbers and targets only a few days after the establishment of a new strategic partnership between his country and China.

However, he said the short-term goal was to achieve exports of $1 billion in a period between 12 to 18 months, six times more than current levels.

The minister said he was satisfied with the agreements with China concerning the export of pork and tequila to the Asian country. Talks were well advanced for mangos, lemons and other products that could join Mexican exports to China in the near future.

During his visit to Beijing, Martinez met with his Chinese counterpart and other officials.

"We worked in a way, quickly and efficiently, to achieve the objective that the two leaders agreed," he said.

Martinez emphasized that the progress in trade between Mexico and China was evidence of the new political and commercial cooperation expressed by the two nations' presidents, who had met twice in less than three months.

The Mexican government said main farm exports to China in 2012 included fresh and canned fruits, shellfish and mollusks as well as fermented beverages. Mexico, meanwhile, imported such products as fish and vegetables from China.