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Mexico: Artisans struggling to survive in a Covid-19 World

Mexico: Artisans struggling to survive in a Covid-19 World

The current virus lockdown has been hard for everyone, but particularly hard for Mexico’s artisans.

The classic way to sell handcrafts is through street and market vending. While there have been efforts by government and private organizations to take this to the next level, success has been sporadic at best.

Today, artisans face an unprecedented situation, perhaps even catastrophe. “Non-essential businesses” are shut, tourism is dead and street traffic is nil, eliminating venues that artisans rely on. Many rural communities where artisans live have shut down entirely, allowing no one in or out.

Bluntly said, “sales have been reduced to zero.” Artisans are living day-by-day and if orders don’t stream as before people will not die of the virus, they will die of hunger.

Even well-placed businesses are teetering on the edge. Boutiques and stores in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Vallarta were closed for two and a half months and without tourism now we wonder how long they can hold out.

Non-governmental organizations for artisans have had to suspend all activities, all festivals, carnivals and events have been cancelled through October 2021. Street markets are closed and the demand has dried up.

Sanyork Fair Trade as an organization has placed orders and supported our artisans working from their homes and in family cottage industries. We pledged direct purchases from 41 artisan families in 6 communities in three states since the pandemic started the on and off lockdowns in 2020. However, our business is just a drop in the stream of income these families need to have an adequate standard of living.

There is a lack of solid organization among artisans in Mexico, the traditional isolation of artisans makes it difficult to organize them, especially for activities that do not result in immediate sales. One important bit of good news is that artisans’ health has not been affected by the virus. The concern is that their economic situation will continue to be dire long after many others have been able to recover.

7th Feb 2021 Michel Kessler

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