Blueberries: Inka´s Berries opens operation in Mexico
Genetics developer, producer and exporter of blueberries Inka's Berries just opened operations in Mexico,in partnership with a local businessman in the pharmaceutical sector, its founder Carlos Gereda reveals to Día1.
"We are replicating the same model as in Peru: doing advanced genetics, [installing] own fields and [being] exporters," says the executive, who left the general management to assume the executive presidency of the firm globally.
As required, i70 hectares (ha) of the berry will be installed in Valle de Santiago, in Guanajuato, northwest of the Aztec capital. "We want to complement the Mexican window that goes from the fortnight of December to the end of March or the beginning of April," he explains after commenting that in Peru the harvest begins in mid-July and extends until the end of the year.
About the investment they will make in their new place, indicates that it will amount to US $ 3,5 million, only in the crop installation. The land belongs to its partner, so they will not need to acquire new land, says Gereda.
The company has developed 35 blueberry selections in partnership with the University of Georgia. Of the total, they have started the process of obtaining the patent for one. (Photo: Rolly Reyna)
EXCLUSIVE
But the commitment to Mexico will take them beyond the fresh business (which represents 80% of their turnover). The firm prepares to launch 'producer clubs', which will allow them to globalize their genetics. They will start in Peru and Mexico and in the 2021 they will land under that scheme in Huelva, Spain, the executive reports.
"The strategy is to have an 10% [of production] of each country”, Says and points out that in Mexico there are some 5.000 ha, in Huelva other 4.000 and in Peru - which is the second global provider of the berry - near 9.000 ha.
Why Huelva? “There is already a developed blueberry industry. There are 4.000 hectares planted and they are looking for new alternatives for genetic change because they have had many problems with varieties that are already established”, replies Gereda.
Towards the 2021, the firm plans to double the estimated turnover for this year (S / 50 mlls), After completing the installation of 200 hectares in Huacho, north of Lima. According to Gereda, they have not yet measured the impact that Mexico and Spain will have on their turnover in the short term.
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