„Wine from Europe, tequila from Mexico“

For Mexico, the World Cup in North America is likely to have only a minor economic impact. Experts, however, expect significant trade benefits from the modernized Global Agreement between the EU and Mexico, which was signed in Mexico City at the end of May and could take effect by the end of this year. “The modernized agreement reduces tariffs and provides greater legal certainty for investments,” says Maria Clara van Tienhoven Amil from the Innovation & Business Development division at a. hartrodt. She sees business opportunities in niche markets such as food & beverage (F&B), project logistics for industrial plants, and critical infrastructure, among others.

Agri-products: Tariffs to drop by up to 100 percent

One of a. hartrodt Mexico’s key focuses is on major global automotive customers. “Many German car manufacturers have production facilities in the country, therefore the EU-Mexico / Mexico-EU trade lane is very important,” emphasizes Maria Clara van Tienhoven Amil. There is now greater planning certainty. Because tariffs on agri-products will be reduced by up to 100 percent, a. hartrodt intends to expand its F&B business. Her example: “Wine from Europe, tequila from Mexico.”

A major nearshoring hub is taking shape 

Maria Clara van Tienhoven Amil lived in Mexico for three years and recently visited a. hartrodt’s national headquarters in the capital. According to her, an important nearshoring location is emerging for European industry: “This ranges from technology to building materials and rare earth elements to pharmaceuticals and chemicals.” For this reason, the consolidation offering will be further expanded. Already today, a. hartrodt offers less-than-container-load (LCL) solutions for sectors such as F&B and ships wines as LCL from Le Havre, Barcelona, or Genoa. “We also build consolidated air freight shipments, particularly for automotive customers,” she adds. In addition, a. hartrodt can provide support for market entry in Mexico.

a. hartrodt Mexico employs approximately 30 people in Mexico City and at its sales offices in Querétaro and Puebla. Regarding shipment volumes to the EU, Maria Clara van Tienhoven Amil considers “double-digit growth within three years” to be realistic.