HIS EXCELLENCY AGUSTIN GARCIA LOPEZ LOAEZA
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Tay Khiam Back for the renewed opportunity to connect with the Singapore Fruit and Vegetable Association through these pages. Over the years, SFVIEA’s members have collaborated with the Embassy of Mexico and our agencies in the promotion of Mexico’s agricultural products in Singapore, Southeast Asia and extended Asian markets. Many companies featured in this directory have contributed to these efforts, helping us to reach the Singaporean and Asian markets. Bringing the produce of the hardworking Mexican farmers who diligently grow, pack, and export quality goods such as avocados, asparagus, broccoli, capsicums, and berries, to the Singaporean pantries.
Mexico is a major participant in international agricultural trade. In 2023, Mexico’s agricultural exports (to all countries) broke a new record, totalling USD 51,874 million, an increase of 3.9% compared to 2022. Foreign sales of Mexican food exceeded USD 50 billion for the first time, which contributes to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings without neglecting the domestic supply as a result of the responsible stewardship of the land by Mexican farmers, ranchers, and fishers.
Mexico ranks as the seventh-largest agri-food exporter globally and stands as the fifth-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. This success is largely attributed to Mexico’s advantageous agro-ecological and geographical conditions, giving us a competitive edge in fruit and vegetable production. Our strengths as a food producer align seamlessly with Singapore’s efforts to diversify its food import sources and enhance food security. This production is also supported by robust value chains and public goods such as the National Service for Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) and the joint trade strategies implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of foreign Affairs to seek new markets for domestic producers. Remarkably, agricultural exports have now surpassed tourism and oil as key sources of foreign exchange.
The Embassy collaborates with Singaporean authorities, logistics providers, and importers to achieve these shared goals, including organizing overseas sourcing trips and business matching sessions with entities like Enterprise Singapore, SBF, and the Singapore-Mexico Chamber of Commerce (SgMxCham), while also increasing sanitary protocols and securing accreditations for Mexican processing establishments as needed.
The current year 2024 has been pivotal for our bilateral relations with Singapore. In just over a few months, we have witnessed momentous events that have reinforced our countries’ ties and draws parallels in our common history.
On 15 May 2024, Lawrence Wong was sworn in as the fourth Prime Minister of Singapore, becoming the first Prime Minister born after the establishment of modern-day Singapore.
In 2024, the first woman President-Elect of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo received the certificate of her victory in the elections of 2 June, confirming that she will be the head of the Executive Branch of government from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2030.
Mexico City was also awarded the 2024 Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize for its outstanding commitment in uplifting the lives of citizens through innovative and sustainable urban initiatives. This prominent award was granted in recognition of the positive results achieved mainly by the administration of the incoming President, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, as Mayor of Mexico City, which forecasts a bright future ahead and further collaboration between our countries on innovative solutions.
Next year will mark Singapore’s 60th birthday, and simultaneously, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between our two nations. Five decades in which Singapore and Mexico have enjoyed a robust partnership, built on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation.
As important as they are in themselves, these anniversaries are but the continuation of a long-standing relationship, which began many centuries ago with the maritime trade route opened by the Acapulco-Manila Galleon, the first expression of globalisation, which shaped us into the nations we are today.
Much like with the first introduction of Mexican avocados, corn, tomatoes, chilies, vanilla, among other ingredients to the world, through the trading route of the Manila Galleon in the 17th and 18th centuries—connecting Mexico with Southeast Asia and influencing cultures and culinary traditions—, we now rely on the adventurous spirit of the members of the Singapore Fruit and Vegetable Importers and Exporters Association to bring the best of Mexico to the region.
Viva Mexico! Viva SFVIEA!