WPVGA awarded Export Expansion Grant for exploring access to Mexican potato market
By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
Members of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) took full advantage of an opportunity to attend the 2024 Expo ANTAD in Guadalajara, Mexico, March 12-14.
For David Wickline of Alsum Farms & Produce, Craig Fields from RPE, Inc., the WPVGA’s own Joe Kertzman and Dana Rady, and Peter Joyce, a consultant for Potatoes USA and the WPVGA, Expo ANTAD provided an opportunity to promote Wisconsin potatoes in Mexico.
The produce show was also a chance to gain more knowledge of the Mexican market, meet with potato table stock and chip stock importers, and identify potential participants for WPVGA’s upcoming Mexico Reverse Trade Mission, to be held in September 2024.
At the expo, WPVGA representatives and Wisconsin producers met with potato importers, several of whom expressed interest in getting quotes from Wisconsin growers, shippers, and packers.
With ANTAD being the Mexican federation of grocery stores, Expo ANTAD is an environment conducive to networking that affords the chance to meet with over a thousand exhibiting companies, buyers, marketers, managers, department heads and other leaders from 67 countries, all of whom are potential business partners.
Attendees can also participate in talks, conferences, and panel discussions with industry experts.
