Analysis of the persian lime export channels of the municipality of Tlapacoyan, Veracruz

Abstract

The Persian lime crop is of great importance, since Mexico is the main producer and exporter worldwide. Most of the domestic production goes to the external market, so it is an important generator of foreign currency. The objectives of the study were to identify channels of export of Persian lime of the municipality of Tlapacoyan, Veracruz, and calculate the relative and absolute margins of marketing of the agents involved in the distribution process. Three channels of export were identified: (1) producer – gatherer auction - packaging - brokers in USA, Europe and Japan; 2) producer - packaging - brokers in USA, Europe and Japan; (3) producer - local gatherer - gatherer in auction - packaging - brokers in USA, Europe and Japan. Relative margins which have greater involvement in border of the Persian lime prices are the broker-packer and producer. The results reflect that in the Persian lime of export marketing integration of packaging and distribution is the alternative that generates higher margins and profits. So it is recommended to integrate the agri-food chain of the Persian lime.