relies upon imports from the U.S. for virtually all of its turkey and pork and half its beef.

 Sigma Alimentos has recently begun a joint venture with Oscar Meyers whereby Sigma

 Alimentos will sell Oscar Meyers products in Mexico.


 THE DOMESTIC MARKET

 The domestic food market is focused in Mexico City. In addition to having a large share

 of the population, Mexico City is the distribution center for almost everything. This results in

.additional distribution miles, additional product losses for perishables, and tremendous

 congestion in Mexico City. Some regionalization of distribution is starting to occur, especially

 in the north, but it is still in the early stages.


 THE MEXICO CITY CENTRAL MARKET

 The hub of the national food distribution system is the Mexico City Central Market or

 Central de Abasto, possibly the largest wholesale produce market in the world. This cooperative

 market has 1000 member-dealers. About 60-70% of national fruit and vegetable production

 comes through the central market. The market also has meat and flower sections that serve

 similar roles.

 In addition to serving as a distribution point for Mexican-grown produce, it also is a

 distribution point for imported fruits and vegetables, such as apples.

 The market has a large number of competing dealers for almost any type of produce.

 In addition to serving as a source for produce in Mexico City, the market also is an intermediate

 point for regional markets and helps alleviate local imbalances in supply and demand. Since the

 Mexican produce market is a just-in-time market, with consumers shopping for same day