Labor, fertilizers and sustainability: factors to improve the competitiveness of blueberries in Jalisco

Alejandro Velázquez spoke with Blueberries Consulting in the framework of the International Seminar on Blueberries Mexico 2022.

27/05/2022

Outstanding leaders of the blueberry industry gathered to kick off the XXII edition of the International Seminar on Blueberries Mexico 2022. Among them was Mr. Alejandro Velázquez, General Director of Agrifood Competitiveness of the Secretariat of Rural Development of the State of Jalisco, department sponsor of the event.

Jalisco is the blueberry-producing area with the largest planted area in Mexico, reaching 3.581 hectares planted in 2021. The difference in temperature between day and night means that the region has great potential for growing blueberries, whose flavor depends on this climatic quality.

More than 90% of the production is sent to the markets of North America, the United States and Canada, the first country being the one that concentrates the largest share of the total Mexican exports given its geographical proximity. However, after the growth of Peruvian production, Mexico must compete with blueberries from this country, which is already the largest exporter of blueberries in the world and the largest supplier to the United States, shipping at the peak of the Peruvian season about 90 % of the total supply available in the North American country.

That is why, from the State of Jalisco, they seek to care for and promote Mexican competitiveness. After delivering the words of welcome, Alejandro Velázquez spoke exclusively with Blueberries Consulting about the main factors that could reduce or increase Mexico's competitive capacity in the international market.

What are the main challenges for the competitiveness of the Mexican blueberry in its main markets?

One of the main challenges is definitely to keep production costs competitive, especially in the face of the increase and shortage of fertilizers. It is a very strong impact on the profitability of the crop, because prices have not been adjusted for the increase in these inputs. But also very important, is the working conditions; the availability of labor and that they are in adequate conditions, which allow companies to be competitive. And finally the issue of sustainability. I think that we are going to have to support more and more the use of green technologies, the use of organic products. The management of crops with practices that are increasingly friendly to the environment.

What are the problems regarding labor that are affecting the final income of the producers?

What we have detected is that it is increasingly difficult for companies to hire labor, precisely where the production centers are located. So people prefer to migrate to urban centers. The crop has also been growing very significantly and competes not only with the berries themselves, but with other crops, such as agave and other fruit trees. Labor is becoming increasingly scarce and we urge companies to provide the labor they have with fair conditions and good benefits for workers; take care of them.

After the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the prices of fertilizers have increased. Do you think that the increase in producer costs will be absorbed by the price of the fruit?

I think that if it is going to be reflected to a greater extent in the cost of the final product, it will end up being paid by the consumer. But above all, I believe that there is going to be, in the medium term, a migration towards fertilizers or towards other types of inputs that allow substituting some of the products that are scarce. I also believe that it will allow organic crops to be developed more quickly, because the use of organic fertilizers specifically in blueberry cultivation will be promoted more.

Finally, why do you want to promote sustainability in blueberry farming? Is it for the care of resources or to open up to new markets?

Firstly, if there is interest in taking care of the use and management of water, in addition to the management of waste generated by agricultural production. And in second place is precisely to be able to guarantee access to markets that have more and more restrictions and that also require more certifications to be able to market safe products. I believe that the State Government is betting very strongly on the use of sustainable systems. Proof of this are the support programs that we have specifically for all production units with sustainability. I reiterate the management and care, especially of water in this case, the disposal of waste, but also access to other markets that are ultimately better for the producer's profitability.