Safety and social responsibility: The challenges of the cranberry industry in Mexico

Social responsibility and safety are the main challenges that the cranberry industry in Mexico will have to face immediately. Or this is at least what Juan José Flores, director of the National Association of Berries Exporters (Aneberries) considers.

"The challenges we have are shared by all countries, because in order to achieve quality, good phytosanitary conditions must be maintained in each area. And to obtain quality it is necessary to produce with inocuidad ", exposes Flowers.

The spokesperson of Aneberries adds that the incorporation of new technologies in the production of blueberries is a great advantage, because, among other things, containers, substrates, drip irrigation systems, quilts, and macro tunnels can now be used.

"Another of the challenges or challenges we have, and perhaps the most important one, has to do with labor. Not so much with availability, but with social responsibility, "says Flores.

In this regard, the director of Aneberries argues that the dignification of the agricultural worker in Aztec territory is still being pursued. "Today, Mexico has been overcoming the salary issue," says Flores.

Specifies that a person who is dedicated to the harvest of blueberries earns near 4 or 5 Mexican minimum wages. Flores adds that this situation has made them look for more labor in the southern regions of the country.

"This implies that we have to provide them with appropriate housing conditions, as well as good conditions of medical and nutritional services. We must be really responsible with these people, "Flores stresses.

About the final product, the representative of Aneberries emphasizes that the freshness of blueberries that are exported will never cease to be one of the main challenges of any company that performs within the field.

"The challenge we also have is to bring the product as fresh as possible to the markets, with a more friendly logistics and in a shortened time. In the US market we can put the load on the borders almost immediately, and at a maximum on 4 or 5 days in the border areas with Canada, "says Flores.

However, it expresses that it must always be considered that the transports to be used preserve the safety of the fruit and that they are friendly to the environment.

"In the maritime issue, we have a lot to learn, we must put emphasis on companies that work with a controlled atmosphere, since it is essential to communicate with the participants of the marketing channel with these," says Flores.

He also points out that the proximity to these people will eventually help them to position a quality product in the destination markets, which conserves their organoleptic characteristics and offers the consumer a safe and healthy product.

Source
Martín Carrillo - Blueberries Consulting

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