Mexico's supply of organic blueberries is increasing.

“We are located in the northwest part of Mexico and production is beginning. We have enough volume for the month of March and April,” says Jorge Vega, of Franks Distributing of Produce LLC., in Nogales, Arizona. "We have been packaging for approximately four weeks and we are expected to have volume for April and May."

This year, production is slightly delayed, about two weeks. “We typically start at the end of February and stop production in mid-May,” says Vega. «This year I think we will be two weeks later than last year. “We should be at full supply capacity in April and May.” 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 little with imports," explains Vega. "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 good demand for the last three or four weeks,” Vega continues.

Vega points out that, compared to last week, when "compulsive shopping" was very common due to the rise of the coronavirus, this week, that type of shopping seems to have decreased 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 a certain amount for the week."

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