Logistics and Perishables Trade
 Between the United States
 and Mexico*

 Richard Beilock, Roger Clemmons, James Dunn, and Barry Prentice



 Food and Resource Economics Department
 Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
 University of Florida
 Gainesville, Florida

 May 1995


 ABSTRACT

The logistical system for produce in Mexico and its lintges with the United States are examined.
The findings suggest both problems and opportunities related to logistics. Among the problems
are: over-reliance on an already strained trucking system, a lack of refrigerated storage, and
inefficient port and rail systems. Among the opportunities are: some progress to date and the
potential for markedly greater improvements in border clearance procedures, potential to exploit
under-utilized southbound refrigerated capacity to expand perishable exports to Mexico, and the
existence of a strata of sophisticated firms in Mexico for the establishment of joint ventures.

KEY WORDS: produce, U.S.-Mexico Trade, logistics

















 The research presented in this report was conducted under the terms
 of Cooperative Agreement # 12-25-A-3381 between the Agricultural
 Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the
 Food and Resource Economics Department at the University of Florida.