Ernesto Fernandez-Arias, general director of support to rural financing in Mexico, presented to nearly 200 attendees of the U.S. Grains Council’s 7th International Marketing Conference. According to Arias, Mexico’s agriculture industry production maintained a growing trend despite the world economic recession. The implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was significant to Mexico as it has become a world leader in some international food markets. “Food exports have prompted the primary sector output. Agro-industry exports may grow at an annual average rate of 8.5 percent between 2009 and 2012,” he said. Since NAFTA was established, 88 percent of Mexican exports have targeted the North-American market. During this period, 86 percent of Mexican exports have been channeled to the U.S. market.