Background on the Berry Industry in Mexico
The berry industry in Mexico has experienced a significant reduction in production area, with more than 10,000 hectares lost over the past four years. Juan José Flores, the General Director of the National Association of Berry Exporters (Aneberries), reported this decline. The production area, which once exceeded 60,000 hectares, is now estimated to be below 50,000 hectares.
Challenges Faced by the Industry
Miguel Ángel Curiel, President of Aneberries’ Board of Directors, outlined the major challenges faced by the industry. These include severe droughts, plant diseases, tariffs, and a stabilizing international market after the healthy food consumption boom during the pandemic.
- Market Stabilization: Following the initial post-COVID market surge with good prices, the industry saw increased production. However, the subsequent stabilization of the market has led to a realignment of supply and demand.
- Tariff Threats: The trade tariffs imposed by Donald Trump have affected the berry value chain, impacting producers and traders in the short term and eventually absorbed by consumers in the medium term.
- Diverse Market Behavior: The berry category comprises four distinct fruits—strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries—each with unique market behaviors.
Specific Berry Performance
Curiel elaborated on the performance of each berry type:
- Strawberries: Despite facing significant production challenges like climate issues, frost, water scarcity, and plant diseases, the strawberry market has shown stable demand. The industry’s rapid response with new genetic materials has ensured a promising future for strawberry production in Mexico.
- Raspberries: After overproduction to meet post-COVID market demands, the raspberry sector has stabilized, placing it in a favorable position since last year.
- Blackberries: Affected by diseases and climate conditions, blackberry cultivation faces ongoing challenges. Companies are introducing new genetics to tackle these issues.
- Blueberries: Competing fiercely in the North American market alongside produce from the US, Canada, Peru, Chile, Morocco, and Colombia, blueberries face global competition.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
The berry sector remains among the top three foreign exchange earners in the agroexport industry, with export revenues occasionally surpassing $4 billion (fresh and frozen) for federal administration purposes.
Mexico is well-positioned as a supplier of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries to North America, including the US and Canada, due to perishability and time-sensitive delivery requirements.
Of the 350,000 jobs generated nationally by the berry sector, 55% are in Jalisco, the leading raspberry producer.
Upcoming Aneberries Congress
The 15th International Congress of Aneberries will take place on July 23rd and 24th in Guadalajara’s Expo Center. The event will feature over 30 conferences, with 55 national and international speakers, including representatives from specialized organizations like the International Blueberry Organization and the International Raspberry Organization.
Key topics for discussion include international trade, food safety, environmental and labor sustainability, plant health, innovation, technology, and data analysis.
