PLU Codes Initiative in Mexico

Para contenido en español, por favor consulte Iniciativa de Códigos PLU Para México.

The Mexican produce industry has come together to create an industry-wide initiative to implement the use of PLU codes and GS1 DataBar barcodes on fresh fruits and vegetables sold in Mexican supermarkets. This initiative called PLU Codes Initiative For Mexico is being supported and facilitated by the PMA Mexican Country Council, PMA, ANTAD and GS1 Mexico.

The initiative has 3 phases:

Phase 1: Initial 26 items to be labeled with global PLU codes
Phase 2: Remaining 135 items to be labeled with global PLU codes
Phase 3: All PLU coded product to include the GS1 DataBar barcode on PLU stickers. Implementation dates for GS1 DataBar vary by retailer.

The benefits of this initiative for retailers and suppliers are:

Retailers

increased sales
increased margins
advanced inventory management
increased in-stock conditions
lower labor costs
category management
accurate organic identification
improved profits

Suppliers

ability to sell varieties at higher prices
brand differentiation and visibility
category management

The implementation of PLU stickers on the 161 commodities and the usage at retail point of sale of the global PLU codes is progressing in Mexico. Some major retailers have fully implemented the use of the global PLU codes while others are still making progress toward a full implementation.

The support for the initiative is continuing to grow. There has been an increase in participation in the Steering Committee meetings from both retailers and grow/shipper/suppliers. Additionally, 13 items sold by Mexican retailers were assigned new PLU codes because they were needed in the marketplace and didn't have existing standard PLU codes.

PLU Codes Initiative for Mexico

Fresh Connections Mexico

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