Mexican blueberries close to being able to enter the Asian giant

20/09/2016

Everyone wants blueberries and everyone wants China. Mexico, recognized worldwide for its blackberries, in terms of the berry sector, now also wants to position itself with its blueberries looking for new markets, and there is China.

Mexico has a fairly consolidated sector in terms of berries in general (blackberry, strawberry, raspberry and blueberry), the strongest being blackberries and strawberries. However, the blueberry sector is the one that is growing, and to learn more about it, we spoke with Diego Martínez, new president of the National Association of Berries and Aneberries Exporters and CEO of Hortifrut in Mexico.

"Blueberries are by far the berry that is growing the most, as an association we estimate that we are growing at the order of 20% in general per year among berries, but blueberries in particular are growing around 60% because it is the one that is being planted the most. "said Martinez.

"We estimate that today there should be about 2 thousand or 2.500 hectares of blueberry in Mexico".

The Aztec country has a 10 years dedicated to the cultivation of blueberries, mainly of the Biloxi variety.

The president of the Association informed us that Mexico is also making agreements to grow with blueberries, mainly looking for Asian markets, where Japan is a great demand for Mexican fruit for its flavor and quality.

"Today we are close to expanding the export protocol with China and the cranberry is going to be included. The final revision is being made and it should be ready by the end of this month, and probably by November the agreement with China will be signed to enter our blueberries "he said.

Mexico currently exports blackberries and raspberries to China and if the protocol is signed on the estimated dates, the country would start its blueberry exports in 2017.

"We believe that there is a huge potential for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries from Mexico, but obviously we have to develop it", Agregó.

As Diego Martínez explained, Mexico has the possibility of having 10 blueberries months a year.

“The problem is that as soon as the United States begins to produce, the Mexican window ends, for us for market reasons it is convenient to prune to enter the United States counter-season window. But Mexico's production window could be perfectly 10 months given the country's climatic conditions ".

The main destinations of the Mexican blueberry are the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.

Another advantage that Mexico has over other blueberry producing countries is its proximity to markets, both the United States, Europe, and Asia.

"The quality of the Mexican cranberry in Japan is well known, when we enter the season, consumers ask for it, at least Biloxi. We are also so close to the markets that we arrived with very good quality ".

Martínez indicated that Aneberries, together with the ProMéxico office in Shanghai, are looking at the possibility of carrying out blueberry promotional campaigns in China. They have already been made with raspberry and blackberry, having very positive results among Chinese consumers.

Source: Fruit Portal