Mexico’s challenges of a growing blueberry industry
December 21, 2022

In 2005, nurserymen, producers, geneticists and marketing specialists from Chile and the United States began to develop cultivars for the warm climate of Jalisco and Michoacán. After testing different practices on pruning, varietal selection, soil management and the inclusion of protected agriculture, they got the results that began the growth of the current Mexican blueberry industry.

They currently have fruit available for export during 10 months of the year, from September to June. The central zone of Mexico, with lower-yield varieties, begins to harvest in September, competing until December with the arrival of large volumes from Peru in the US.

At that point, production is transferred to the state of Jalisco, where about 50% of the annual blueberries are produced given the high yield of its crops. In February, the rise in exported volumes begins, reaching its peak during March and April.

Mexico has presented a constant growth rate in the last five years. With a slightly volatile climate, 75% of the plantations under a tunnel system or controlled environment and a privileged location with respect to its main market, the United States, the industry strengthened its participation in the world blueberry market during the pandemic.

21/12/2022

Freshplaza.com