Following years of work between AMHPAC, CIAD, CAADES-CIDH, SENASICA, CNA, SADER, agricultural producers, and seed companies, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) informed Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Agriculture) that on September 17, it published regulations allowing the importation of fresh bell peppers from Mexico.
Analysis and visits to Mexican fields by Japanese experts demonstrated that bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are not susceptible to tobacco blue mold. In July 2025, MAFF submitted the “Work Plan for the Export of Fresh Bell Peppers (Capsicum annuum var. grossum) from Mexico to Japan,” agreed upon by the health authorities of both countries.
Procedures can now begin for exporting fresh bell peppers—known in Mexico as pimiento morrón and in international trade as chile bell—to Japan.
© AMHPAC
AMPHAC’s grower partners who comply with the work plan will be able to begin exporting. To do so, they must register their production units and packing plants with SENASICA, which will be included on the list that will be submitted to the Japanese health authorities.
This news is the result of the commitment and collaboration between allied organizations, scientific researchers, and the federal government. However much remains to be done, such as hold a meeting with SENASICA to learn about the Export Work Plan’s operating rules; register the farms that can export; conduct joint training with the CNA Horticultural Group; export testing to detect process failures; and invest in promoting bell peppers in Japan.
AMPHAC will continue working with the Mexican authorities to refine the protocols and keep growers and shippers informed.
For more information:
Karina Reyes
AMHPAC
Tel.: (667) 715 5830 Ext. 102
[email protected]
https://amhpac.org/
Publication date:
Mon 22 Sep 2025
AloJapan.com