Abstract

MACIAS MACIAS, Alejandro. Enclaves agrícolas modernos: el caso del jitomate mexicano en los mercados internacionales. Región y sociedad [online]. 2003, vol.15, n.26, pp.104-151. ISSN 2448-4849.

Tomatoes are undoubtedly the main vegetable crop thanks to which Mexico has developped its fruit and vegetable industry, both supplying the domestic market and exporting to the United States. Thirty seven years after the beginning of its market-oriented mass production, this industry shows features that characterize the modern agricultural enclaves, which emerged from the international opening up of the markets and the new demands of flexible production. Among these characteristics, can be considered the following: Mexico's growing market share in the United States' fresh market, but also a high concentration in this market and in this kind of offer, without a greater added value; the external dependence with regard to input provision and means of production, which makes this industry dependent on the strategic decisions made in the country that consumes these products. Also, the processes of economic integration between the two countries are emphasized. These processes emerged from the shaping of the North American trade bloc, where there are not only competitive relations among countries, but complementary relations too.

Keywords : enclave; tomato; competitiveness; substitutes; exports; commercialization.