Supermarkets in Mexico: Impacts on Horticulture Systems

By Rita Schwentesius & Manuel Ángel Gómez

Development Policy Review  Volume 20 Issue 4 Page 487 - September 2002
 
This article examines the very rapid rise, consolidation, and multinationalisation of the supermarket sector in Mexico over the past decade. This development had profound impacts on fruit and vegetables supply chains. Supermarkets created their own distribution centres and contractual arrangements with growers, giving rise to supermarket supply operations by agroexport and agroindustry firms and a shift away from traditional wholesalers. The challenging requirements of selling to these new actors pose problems for small farms and firms. This article examines the case of a co-operative of small farmers that tried - and failed - to become a lime supplier to supermarket chains. It concludes with recommendations on ways to help small farmers meet the challenge of the rise of supermarkets.

Full article available here