Proximity to the United States remains one of the main advantages of blueberry Mexican. However, the industry's own development has led to a closer look at productivity, size, and post-harvest life, attributes that now guide much of the varietal replacement.

One of the technical readings on this transition is delivered Eduardo Betancourt Esparza, director of Betablue Agricultural Consulting and rapporteur of XLI International Blueberries Seminar Mexico 2026In a conversation with Blueberries Consulting, he explained that Mexico has made significant progress in replacing traditional varieties such as Biloxi and Ventura, especially in areas where production conditions require earlier, more productive materials adapted to hydroponic systems.

Betancourt will be part of the meeting to be held on May 27 and 28 in Guadalajara, where he will address the “Advanced Pruning Management in blueberry: keys to high productivity.”

Eduardo Betancourt Esparza © Blueberries Consulting

Varieties and hydroponics: the Mexican productive change

The commercial development of blueberry Mexican orchards had a significant period in Biloxi and Ventura. However, much of that land has already been replaced with newer genetics, geared towards productivity, size, and better fruit condition.

The progress of varietal replacement has not been uniform across all regions. In higher altitude areas, such as Michoacán, some traditional varieties still maintain good yields, benefiting from lower temperatures and less pressure from pests and diseases. In lower-lying areas, such as Sinaloa, Guanajuato, and Jalisco, varietal replacement has been more intensive, and several fields are already entering a mature stage with second- and third-year plants.

This renewal is accompanied by a change in the production system. Betancourt highlights that hydroponics and container cultivation have become established as a way to increase control, productivity, and earliness. In his experience, the shift from soil to container cultivation has accelerated the start of production and increased yields under more intensive management practices.

Pruning and window: producing at the right time

In Mexico, the commercial window remains a decisive factor. Betancourt identifies February, March, and April as a key period for the country, due to its proximity to the United States and the opportunity to position fresh fruit at a relevant time for the market.

In that strategy, pruning plays a central role. He explained that in some fields, pruning dates have been adjusted to shift the peak harvest towards mid-February and better take advantage of the Mexican growing season.

Thus, pruning ceases to be just an agronomic task and becomes a tool to organize production according to the most convenient commercial moment.

Eduardo Betancourt Esparza © Blueberries Consulting

From the new production system to the practices that sustain it

Hydroponics and container growing demand greater control over the production system. The most productive varieties require well-adjusted pruning, crop load, and vigor. And the pursuit of size, firmness, and post-harvest characteristics opens the discussion to other technical management practices that will be part of the program. Blueberries Mexico 2026

From that perspective, varietal replacement doesn't end with choosing a new genetic line. Its outcome depends on how each field combines variety, location, substrate, water, pruning, nutrition, and fruit quality.

These talks don't replace production diagnosis, but rather expand upon it by focusing on specific management areas. The goal is to examine how technical decisions allow new varieties to reach their full potential and maintain high-quality fruit.

Mexico 2026: pruning, nutrition, stress and firmness

Along those lines, Eduardo Betancourt's talk on advanced pruning management will allow for a deeper understanding of how to organize vigor, load, and production according to the commercial window.

Nutrition will be addressed from two complementary angles. Jorge Esquivel, Blueberries Consulting, will review strategies for maximum efficiency, while Gerardo Nunez, from the University of Florida, will work on rates, foliar standards and nutritional decisions.

Jorge Esquivel Manterola, director of Blueberries Consulting at the XXXVI International Blueberry Seminar 2025

Gerardo Nuñez at the Blueberry Convention Paracas 2026

The program will also address the physiological condition of the plant. Daniel DiazFrom Michigan State University, will present on the use of biostimulants and bioregulators to reduce stress in plants. blueberries.

Daniel Díaz, from Michigan State University at the XXXVI International Blueberry Seminar 2025

In turn, mineral nutrition will appear linked to fruit firmness and quality through the presentation of Reinaldo Campos, from the University of Chile, on strategic management of calcium, magnesium and potassium in blueberries.

Reinaldo Campos-Vargas, from the University of Chile, at the XXXVI International Blueberry Seminar 2025

From productive renewal to commercial value

For Mexico, the opportunity lies in converting its proximity to the US market and its productive renewal into a more stable supply, with better size, greater firmness and good post-harvest life.

The technical challenge will be to uphold that promise from the field: with well-managed plants, consistent fruit, and decisions tailored to each zone, variety, and window.

In Guadalajara, this discussion will bring together field experience and technical expertise around a common goal: to project a more precise, consistent, and competitive Mexican industry.

The meeting will take place on the following days And May 27 28 by 2026. You can Purchase your tickets here  y Check the full program here. 

Companies interested in booths or sponsorships can contact the organizing team at contacto@blueberriesconsulting.com or +56 9 3469 3871

Read also

From Chile and Peru to Mexico: the technical conversation that responds to the challenges of the Mexican blueberry

Market, genetics and quality will set the agenda for Mexican blueberries at Blueberries Mexico 2026

Mexican blueberry industry accelerates varietal replacement and seeks to consolidate its position in the U.S.

Daniel Díaz: “In blueberries, growth regulators only express their potential if there is good nutrition.”

International Blueberry Seminars 2026: Blueberries travel through Peru, Chile, Mexico, Morocco and China