Mexico's supply of organic blueberries is increasing.

“We are located in the northwestern part of Mexico and production is starting. We have plenty of volume for the month of March and April,” says Jorge Vega, of Franks Distributing of Produce LLC., in Nogales, Arizona. “We have been packing for about four weeks and we are expected to have volume for April and May.”

This year, the production is a little late, about two weeks. “Usually we start at the end of February and stop production in mid-May,” says Vega. “This year I think we will be two weeks behind last year. We should be at full supply capacity in April and May." The volume has also increased slightly compared to last year.

South America ends

As for the competition, it comes from Florida and California, as well as central and northern Mexico. “And South America should slow down a bit with imports,” Vega explains. "Normally, when we get to the end of February or the beginning of March, that's when Chile ends."

On the other hand, demand has been good to date. “The organic and conventional markets are strong with pretty good demand for the amount of volume we are handling right now. There has been a good demand during the last three or four weeks”, continues Vega.

Vega notes that compared to last week, when "compulsive shopping" was very common due to the rise of the coronavirus, this week, such shopping seems to have slowed down a bit. “However, we don't know what will happen,” he adds. “People are still going to shop, but blueberries are a perishable product and you can only buy so much for the week.”

Regarding the prices, Vega says that they are good, between medium and high. “I think last year at this time they were a little lower,” he concludes.