Market
Mexico is a major North American supplier of fresh/chilled celery (HS 070940), with production concentrated in states including Sonora, Guanajuato, Baja California, Puebla, and Querétaro. UN Comtrade-based WITS data for 2023 shows Mexico exported US$94.77 million and 98,956,500 kg of HS 070940 celery, overwhelmingly to the United States, with smaller exports to Canada and Japan. This export-oriented profile makes Mexico’s celery trade highly sensitive to U.S. produce food-safety compliance expectations (FSMA Produce Safety Rule) and to cold-chain performance on cross-border trucking lanes. SENASICA is Mexico’s competent authority for phytosanitary export certification processes, and exporters must align shipments to destination-specific SPS requirements and documentation.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter
Domestic RoleDomestic fresh-vegetable crop with a significant export channel to North America
Risks
Food Safety HighFresh celery is a raw agricultural commodity where microbial contamination (e.g., from agricultural water, worker hygiene, animals, or unsanitary equipment) can trigger shipment rejection, recalls, and rapid buyer delisting—especially for U.S.-bound trade where FSMA Produce Safety expectations shape import compliance.Implement FSMA-aligned preventive controls across water, hygiene, soil amendments, and sanitation; maintain robust pre-shipment QA, environmental monitoring where applicable, and rapid traceback/recall procedures.
Logistics MediumCross-border trucking delays and inspection congestion can break the cold chain, increasing dehydration/wilting and shrink; this is acute for U.S.-bound shipments that dominate Mexico’s export mix.Use validated pre-cooling, continuous temperature logging, and border-ready documentation; build contingency time into delivery windows and diversify border crossings/carriers when feasible.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDestination-specific SPS documentation gaps (e.g., missing/incorrect phytosanitary certification when required, or mismatched consignment details) can block clearance and cause costly delays or destruction/return of perishable shipments.Confirm destination requirements in advance; reconcile product description, lot IDs, and quantities across all documents; use SENASICA-authorized processes and pre-clearance checklists.
Labor & Social MediumMexican agricultural supply chains have documented forced/child labor risks in certain horticulture industries, increasing downstream retailer and importer sensitivity; celery exporters may face heightened due-diligence requests and reputational risk if labor governance is weak.Adopt a formal social-compliance program (contracts, wage/hour records, grievance channels), conduct third-party audits, and require labor standards from labor contractors and packing partners.
Labor & Social- Buyer scrutiny of labor conditions in Mexican horticulture supply chains (including risks of informality and worker protections) can trigger audit requirements and reputational exposure even when a specific celery allegation is not present.
- Occupational health and safety for field and packing-house labor (heat stress, chemical handling, sanitation) is a recurring compliance focus for export-oriented fresh-vegetable operations.
FAQ
Which Mexican states are leading producers of fresh celery (apio)?Using SIAP open data as presented in the 2023 agricultural closeout (Cierre Agrícola 2023), leading producing states include Sonora, Guanajuato, Baja California, Puebla, and Querétaro.
Where does Mexico export most of its fresh/chilled celery?In 2023, Mexico exported US$94.77 million and 98,956,500 kg of HS 070940 celery globally, with the United States as the main destination (US$90.70 million; 94,551,500 kg). Canada and Japan were smaller destinations.
What official phytosanitary certificate is used when exporting plant products from Mexico?SENASICA issues an International Phytosanitary Certificate (Certificado Fitosanitario Internacional) for exports of regulated plant-origin goods when required by the destination country, after the exporter meets the destination’s phytosanitary requirements.