SADER, CONACCA Boost Direct Market Access for Producers

The Ministry of Agriculture (SADER) has signed an agreement with the National Confederation of Agricultural Merchants of Central Markets (CONACCA) to boost the commercial linkages of small and medium producers. This initiative aims to reduce intermediaries in order to maximize benefits for farmers.

Julio Berdagué, Minister of Agriculture, says that the agreement will allow producers to sell their products directly, temporarily, and without cost as part of the Harvesting Sovereignty program, which promotes shared prosperity and well-being for people in Mexico's rural and coastal areas. He adds that central markets are key to increasing food sovereignty and self-sufficiency, as outlined in the Plan México, promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum's government.

Berdegué explains that nine out of 10 small and medium-scale producers market their products through a network of intermediaries, who eventually bring these goods to wholesale markets. "Without CONACCA’s cooperation, it would be impossible to achieve the goal of strengthening the nation's food sovereignty. We need to build practical and concrete agreements that ensure we can significantly improve the effectiveness of marketing systems, from the fields of producers to the tables of consumers," he said.

The new agreement will allow CONACCA-affiliated central markets in any state of the country to participate. Among the commitments are direct linkage with Mexican producers, technical assistance for their technological and productive development, integration into their growth as reliable suppliers, and preferential financing for production with direct marketing agreements.

Both SADER and CONACCA plan to finalize at least 800 direct agreements in 2025, enabling small-scale producers — preferably participants in the Harvesting Sovereignty program — to market their products without incurring any additional costs. The agreement also includes the certification of storage facilities in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) — with support from SENASICA — across 16 central markets, as well as the creation of temporary, free spaces for producers to make direct sales within these wholesale markets.

"This alliance will benefit producers, marketers, and consumers, as implementing food safety measures at various stages of the production and commercial chain will allow us to offer healthy and safe food to the entire population," says David Soriano, Director General of Food Safety, Aquaculture, and Fisheries, SENASICA.

According to CONACCA, there are 66 Central Markets and 24 Wholesale Markets in Mexico, which play a key role in food distribution. Over 55,000 business owners operate within these markets, which, through the National Network of Central Markets, distribute 75% of the country’s agricultural and fishery production. In addition, these markets generate around 1.85 million direct jobs, not including temporary and indirect jobs. Through public markets, street vendors, neighborhood stores, and other sales points, they cover 70.3% of the national food market, delivering fresh products to more than 1.35 million retail establishments and places where food is prepared and sold.