“We believe that the Mexican milling industry is one of the most competitive and efficient in the Americas. In recent years the domestic milling industry has developed more competitive, mainly by greater efficiency in production processes, where the use of new technologies has played a very important role. In recent years there have been major investments in technology.”   CANIMOLT (The National Chamber of Milling Industry of Wheat) is a significant representative of Mexican flour milling industry. Representing 25 companies operating in this industry, CANIMOLT undertakes a mission of strengthening Mexican flour milling industry, taking the businesses in the sector a step further, and maintaining the unity in them.   The president of the Chamber, Luis Fuente POCHAT shared the status of milling industry and future goals with Miller Magazine. Saying that 6,4 million tons of wheat was processed in 2014, POCHAT stated it was used for the production of 4.3 million tons of flour and 533 tons of semolina. Stating that Mexico exports mainly to United States, Central America and Europe, POCHAT also mentioned that Mexican consumers are increasingly demanding in matters of quality and price of the products they buy; so Mexican milling industry should focus on these issues.   Mr. Pochat, first of all, could you please give us some information about your association? How many members do you have and what are your activities as an association in the industry? The National Chamber of Milling Industry of Wheat (CANIMOLT), by law, is an organ for consultation and collaboration, promoting the strengthening and expansion of the industrial sector, and seeking to make their businesses profitable and sustainable. One of its main objectives is to maintain the unity, coordination and cooperation of miller entrepreneurs. CANIMOLT has 25 affiliated companies that have an infrastructure of 65 milling plants, same accounting for 90 % of national production.   Could you please give us some information on the Mexican flour milling industry? What can you say about the number of the mills, milling capacities, technology usage level, and manufactured product groups? In 2014, the milling industry processed 6.4 million tons of wheat, which were used for the production of 4.3 million tons of flour and 533 tons of semolina. At the end of 2014 and early 2015, the wheat milling industry consisted of 84 plants owned by 40 companies, with a total installed capacity of 27 thousand 720 tons per day for wheat milling.   How is the approach of the milling companies towards the new technologies? Is there any increase in the recent milling and technology investments? In recent years the domestic milling industry has developed more competitive, mainly by greater efficiency in their production processes, where the use of new technologies has played a very important role. In recent years there have also been major investments in technology. Do all of the mills in Mexico realize their production completely for the domestic consumption? Are there any export activities of the mills in your country? If there are, which countries are the export targets and what is the amount of these exports? Some companies export flour and semolina, and some others use part of its production for the manufacture of pasta or crackers to have integrated these processes in the same company. Also, Mexican milling industry mainly exports to the United States, Central America and Europe. In 2014, 62 thousand tons of flour and 66 thousand tons of meal were exported.   What is the level of raw material in your country? How much of the raw material processed in the mills is produced in your country, and how much of it imported? Which countries do you prefer for the imports? For the 2013/2014 crop year, 3.7 million tons of wheat was produced. In 2014, approximately 40 % of the wheat flour processed in the industry was produced domestically; and 60% was imported. In 2014, wheat imports came from the United States (65 %), Canada (24%), Russia (10%) and Ukraine (1%).   Could you please give some information on the flour consumption amount and consumption culture of Mexico? For instance; for which food products the flour is used and how is it consumed? What are the preferences of your consumers in bakery product consumption? Flour consumption amount of Mexico is about 4 million ton. In 2014, 69 % of production to the traditional and industrial bakery was earmarked for the preparation of bread, cakes and biscuits; 8% for the production of biscuits, 10% for pasta soup, 10% for the flour tortillas and 3% for other products such as pizzas, toppings, snacks, etc. In Mexico, consumption of bakery products is segmented into white bread (36 %), sweet breads, cakes and pastries (42 %), biscuits (13 %) and flour tortillas (9%).   What do you think about the future development of your country in terms of both the improvement of the milling industry and consumption amounts and preferences of your country? What are your future expectations about your industry? Although obesity problems, flour consumption increases relative to population growth, thanks to the Mexican consumer who is increasingly demanding in matters of quality and price of the products they buy, as well as worrying about their health. So the milling industry should focus their strategies on these issues.   What do you think about your position when you compare your country to other American countries in terms of milling? We believe that the Mexican milling industry is one of the most competitive and efficient in the Americas. It also has a strong focus on social responsibility in terms of staple food.   As especially an association, do you have any projects for your industry that are being realized right now or will be realized in the coming years? As an Organisation, we are aiming to ensure better integration, communication, knowledge sharing, and also to develop suppliers and products.   Finally, what would you like to add about your association and the flour milling industry in your country? We hope strengthened domestic agriculture, best management, business practices and logistics efficiency for our customers.