From November 9 to 16, 2024, Wax & Grafts explored the Mexican market’s potential during the Expo Agroalimentaria Guanajuato, the largest agri-industry event in Mexico. This internationally renowned exhibition brings together key players in agriculture and viticulture, showcasing the latest innovations and strengthening strategic partnerships.
Mexican Viticulture: A Growing Potential
Mexico is mostly famous for its beautiful beaches, cactus and… tequila. But it is also an emerging yet lesser-known player in viticulture. With 14 wine regions and 2,500 hectares of vineyards, the country grows a wide range of grape varieties, from red, including classic Bordeaux grapes (cabernet sauvignon, merlot) and Mediterranean favorites like grenache and syrah, to white like chardonnay and viognier.
States that produce table grapes (light purple) and wine (dark purple) - Wikipédia
In the wine sector, Mexico benefits from unique climatic conditions, particularly in the states of Sonora and Jalisco, which allow grape cultivation during specific periods (march-june) that are hard to compete with in the Northern hemisphere.
Mexico also holds a significant commercial advantage over South American producers: its long border with the United States and its inclusion in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)¹. These factors provide Mexican producers an unparalleled access to the U.S. market, facilitating exports and strengthening their competitive position.
However, the nursery sector remains underdeveloped, with most grafted plants imported from California. In this context, Videxport, a leading producer of table grapes in Sonora, has launched its own nursery project. Supported by Eugenio Figueroa, director of Guillaume Nurseries in the U.S., Videxport produces grafted plants for its internal needs - a promising first step toward strengthening Mexico's self-sufficiency in this sector.
¹ this was true until the Trump administration decided to impose a 25% tax on its NAFTA partners on February 1, 2025
If wine is still the privilege of happy few in Mexico,
table grapes have always been a great asset for the country.
Avocado & Tequila: New Opportunities For Wax & Grafts ?
Our discussions with local stakeholders highlighted the growing interest in mechanical grafting in the avocado sector, which is a major market in Mexico. This grafting process, applied to avocado trees could indeed reduce labor dependency, enhance productivity, and ensure consistent quality.
Mexico also offers a promising market for finishing products, particularly sealing waxes for bottles. With the global popularity of tequila on the rise, the demand for aesthetic and functional solutions, such as sealing waxes, is booming.
In the end, our trip to Mexico confirmed the significant potential for Wax & Grafts in this region. Whether through developing innovative grafting techniques, supplying high-quality materials for nurseries, or creating tailored sealing solutions for the tequila industry, the prospects are both diverse and promising.
By leveraging its recognized technical expertise and understanding of local needs, we are ready to support the transformation of Mexican agriculture !