The railway industry in Mexico is gearing up to offer transportation services for fresh and frozen products, a service expected to start rolling on train tracks in 2025. However, this requires infrastructure and inspection points, which are currently lacking but are being worked on by both Grupo México Transportes (GMXT) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) of Mexico.
“It’s a very relevant business area that can strengthen Mexico’s international trade in the agricultural sector, which is of great importance to the local economy. It’s a great opportunity to transport fresh and frozen products by rail, as well as sweet bakery products and others such as beef, chicken, and pork for importation to the United States and Canada,” according to the Mexican Railway Association (AMF).
José Miguel Baena, Commercial Director of GMXT, confirms that this transportation division of Grupo México is working to start transporting refrigerated products, which would begin next year. The service would be with their own equipment, he adds.
“We have a couple of big projects to start working on as a cold chain; we’re already on it, and I believe you will have news in the coming months. The idea is to export vegetables and greens to the United States; we’re looking for partners to make investments in terms of equipment, warehouses, and more, but we’re already working on it,” he says.
He mentions that they would be working on the basis of this project by 2024. Although he details that one of the challenges would be the efficiency of freight, as the cold chain cannot be lost, so strategic allies and the trust of customers are required.
INVESTMENTS ON THE HORIZON
CPKC of Mexico is also making investments to build suitable infrastructure to have a cold chain that allows providing this type of service in the country. In addition, it already has a thousand refrigerated containers that it expects to put into full operation by 2025.
