The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security.
In addition to its Washington, D.C. staff, FAS has a global network of 98 offices in 75 countries covering 156 countries. These offices are staffed by agricultural attachés and locally hired staff who are the eyes, ears, and voice for U.S. agriculture around the world. FAS staff identify problems, provide practical solutions, and work to advance opportunities for U.S. agriculture and support U.S. foreign policy around the globe. FAS Mexico has different offices, the Office of Agricultural Affairs, the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Mexico City and ATO Monterrey.
Welcome to the Foreign Agricultural Service in Mexico
The USDA’s Agricultural Trade Offices (ATOs) in Mexico provide “one stop shopping” for U.S. companies interested in learning about export opportunities in Mexico. The mission of the ATOs is to assist U.S. companies in market development and promotion of U.S. food and agricultural products. The ATOs, located in Mexico City and Monterrey, offer U.S. food and agricultural product companies a wide variety of trade services geared at understanding, promoting and selling in this dynamic marketplace.
ATO services include, but are not limited to:
Support for Business Travelers: The ATOs provide assistance to U.S. exporters, and arranging trade shows, seminars and other activities at which U.S. exporters can meet Mexican importers.
Market Intelligence: The Offices of the Foreign Agricultural Service in Mexico regularly prepare reports on market opportunities, market access issues, domestic regulation, distribution channels, trade data, and the competitive situation for U.S. food and agriculture products.
Conference Room for Trade Briefings: Conference room facilities and audiovisual equipment are available for U.S. companies to use for business meetings, holding technical seminars or trade promotional events.
Promotional Activities/Calendar of Events: The ATOs conduct a number of promotional activities in Mexico and the United States, and maintain information on events and trade shows in both countries. Briefings for Exporters and Trade Delegations: The ATO Mexico City and ATO Monterrey can brief visitors on subjects relating to the Mexican agricultural market as requested. Briefings can be scheduled at the ATO Mexico City conference room which can accommodate approximately 100 people and ATO Monterrey’s conference room which can accommodate 25 people.
Trade Shows: Both ATOs endorse and organize U.S. Pavilions in a variety of trade shows throughout Mexico in the retail/wholesale and food service sector.
Assistance to Trade Organizations: The ATOs and the Office of Agriculture Affairs in Mexico provide advice and logistical support to USDA’s Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and Market Access Program (MAP) participants, State Departments of Agriculture, and other regional and industry-sponsored mark promotion organizations. Food Safety Seminars and Exhibits: The ATOs and the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Mexico conduct food safety seminars that showcase U.S. food safety systems and attributes to buyers at key regional and national trade shows and promotional events. Lists of Mexican Importers / Distributors / Agents: the ATOs can provide lists of Mexican importers / Distributors / Agents by product types.