FOREIGN TRADE 



General 



Mexico, except in 19h9, has had an -unfavorable balance of 

 trade since 19iiU. In 195ii, imports were worth 8.9 billion pesos ($809.9 

 million) and exports were valued at 6.9 billion pesos ($627.9 million), 

 the trade deficit amounting to about 2 billion pesos ($182.0 million). 

 To prevent this drain, Mexico has resorted to various measures, such as 

 devaluation, import quotas, and increased import duties. 



Most of Mexico's foreign trade is with the United States: in 

 195U, 80 percent of total imports valued at 7.2 billion pesos ($655.2 

 million) and 60 percent of total exports valued at U.2 billion pesos 

 ($382.2 million). 



Fish and fishery products represent a favorable item in Mexico's 

 balance of trade with the world and particularly with the United States, 

 In 195U the value of imported fish and fishery products was less than 

 6 percent of the value of exported fish and fishery products (table 2U) . 



TABLE 2U.— VALUE OF MEXICAN EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, 



OF ALL FISHERY PRODUCTS 

 (In thousands) 



1/ Includes tuna and tuna-like fishes and other fishes 

 caught by United States boats under Mexican licenses and 

 delivered to the United States by these boats. 



2/ Includes 55.9 million kilograms (121,2 million pounds) 

 of fish and shellfish valued at 152.8 million pesos ($17.9 

 million) taken by United States boats under Mexican licenses 

 and delivered to United States ports by these boats. 



Note: Average value of peso equaled 11.6 cents in 1952, 

 11.7 cents in 1953, and 9.1 cents in 19514. 



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