1. Country: Mexico -Tips on how to do business in Mexico
-Market and Product Trends
-Food Export market activities and services
CONSULTANTS IN FOOD – TRADE – MARKETING - COMMUNICATIONS

2. Tips to do business in Mexico
Business relationships are usually very formal.
When having an appointment, don’t be late
Find out if your counterpart speaks English (interpreter)
Before attending your appointment confirm its taking place
Sorry no,
inglich, me
Español only

3. Tips to do business in Mexico
Be prepared to fax quotes or information, translated in Spanish (The language is one of the biggest business killers)
Always confirm your communications (fax, ) have gone through
When placing a call to your buyer, let the receptionist know you are calling long distance for a quick connection
Mr. Ron Smith
from PP Foods

4. Tips to do business in Mexico
Quote with the correct incoterm to the closest border or the requested city
While doing a product presentation, make sure you are able to give some pricing…
TEXAS

5. Tips to do business in Mexico
Buyers that don’t see pricing, usually consider their appointment a waste of their time (specially supermarket buyers)
If pricing is impossible to bring with you, try to quote as soon as possible and commit to a date
$ 17.99
FOB Laredo

6. Tips to do business in Mexico
When sending documents:
Dont use regular mail
Use always a courier DHL, UPS Fedex etc.
When sending samples:
Use a forwarding company or a courier. However, make sure you have the right documents before sending your samples
MEXICAN MAIL
FREDERAL
EXPRESS

7. Tips to do business in Mexico
Breakfast works great for quick business meetings
Lunch business meetings are pleasant but long. Might take hours if alcohol is involved. Good opportunity to meet your client.
Beso (Kiss) or Abrazo (Hug) are cultural greeting or good bye gestures amongst Mexican Business Relations

8. Tips to do business in Mexico
Mexicans have a difficulty to say “NO” in general. They want to be very comforting.
Lack of assertiveness creates problems and misunderstandings.
If you don’t hear from your buyer after following up twice, he might not be interested in your product
Be always prepared for these situations

9. Country: Mexico -Market and Product Opportunities- Trends
CONSULTANTS IN FOOD – TRADE – MARKETING - COMMUNICATIONS

10. Changes in the Eating Habits
Fast & convenient
More women working outside
of home, at all income levels
“Lite”, natural, and healthier
foods are a current trend, particularly among urban,
women and families too
But the snack and processed foods consumption is still
rising

11. Food product potential in different age segments:
Source: Nielsen 2007 Study

12. Mexican consumers love novelty items and all the classic munchies

13. Country: Mexico -Food Export market activities and services
CONSULTANTS IN FOOD – TRADE – MARKETING - COMMUNICATIONS

14. Activities and Services offer from Food Export MW or NE to companies:
Focused Trade Missions
Food Show Plus ! Value added services for International Trade
Show participation
Market Builder Services

15. Focused Missions to Mexico
Food Ingredients
Retail Segment
Convenience Stores
Food Service
Private Label
Northern Market (Nov 08)
Include: Briefs, Business
Meetings, importation samples,
Table top show, generic brochure
Store or segment tour visits, i.e.
Supermarket, bakeries etc.

16. Food Show Plus Services
Consist in added value services to facilitate companies their participation in trade shows: Services include:
Interpreter or demo-chef girl for days of show.
Translation of one page brochure and inclusion in generic Spanish brochure
In some cases, business meetings
Breakfast Seminar
Assistance before and during the show
MARKET BUILDER (to be explained)

17. Food Show Plus Services ANTAD Show
National Retailers Association Show.
The largest food show in Mexico
Takes place in Guadalajara, Mexico
Supermarket buyers, importers and distributors attend the show
An important show to consider
Date: March of every year

18. Food Show Plus Services Alimentaria Trade Show
Takes place in Mexico City
Focused to Food Service and Retail
Much Smaller show than ANTAD but important because it takes place Mexico City
Very oriented to gourmet and fancy food segments
Many international pavilions participate
Date: June every year

19. Exphotel Trade Show
Takes place in the Cancun and Yucatan Peninsula area.
This show is 100% Food Service oriented
It’s a regional show serving the most important tourist area in Mexico
The show has been around for more than 12 years
Good show for
Foodservice business
Date: June every year

20. Abastur Trade Show
Takes place in Mexico City The largest Food Service Show in Mexico with a National reach
US pavilion coordinated
The best Food Service Show in Mexico
About 1/3 the size of the ANTAD show
Date: Sept-Oct every year

21. Market Builder Services
Store Checks
Import Analysis
Distributor Referral
Importer´s List
In Market Assistance
Labeling Seminar
Business Meetings
Supermarket tour

22. THANK YOU
Presentation available for download at:
Raul Caballero, Violeta Picazzo
Food Export MW-NE,
Tel. ( ) , Fax