Within a framework of reference, the global blueberry industry will reach 2025 with a production volume exceeding 2 million tons shipped to global markets. In this scenario, Mexico faces a situation in which it must resolve how to confront the tariff threat, determine whether the growth trend will continue, and overcome its historical dependence on the U.S. market.

These three important variables will be addressed extensively in the programming of the 36th International Seminar of Blueberries Consulting which will take place on the days And May 28 29 in the halls of Hard Rock Hotel Guadalajara, which will be attended by key leaders of the Mexican and Latin American industry, who, along with agro-exporting entrepreneurs, producers, researchers, and specialists, will shape the main meeting of the Mexican blueberry industry, with the goal of responding to each of the challenges.

Business challenges

Mexico has experienced significant growth in blueberry production and exports in recent years. Between 2017 and 2022, the Mexican industry's blueberry production grew by more than 80%, reaching 66.847 tons and continuing to grow to the current 81.000 tons. This increase has been driven by demand, new varieties, technology applied to their production, and the strategic advantage of its proximity to the United States market.

We are living in a time of robust growth for the global blueberry market; the world's cultivated area is steadily growing and expanding into new geographic and climatic regions; prices have regained a degree of stability; and demand for blueberry consumption continues to rise in all markets. However, the threat of tariffs and protectionism remains an insurmountable challenge for the industry.

Sustainable industry

Currently, Mexico has approximately 5.000 hectares dedicated to blueberry cultivation, concentrated in states such as Jalisco, Michoacán, Sinaloa, and Baja California.

According to data from the Ministry of Economy, the value of Mexico's blueberry production increased from USD 27 million to USD 264 million between 2013 and 2022, an increase of 890%. During this period, Jalisco positioned itself as the country's leading blueberry-producing state, increasing from 557 hectares harvested in 2013 to 2.327 hectares harvested in 2022. Jalisco's climate and geography make it ideal for blueberry production.

In this context, the specialist Ricardo Márquez, manager for Mexico of Fall creek, will give a talk on the blueberry market in Mexico, addressing its production, marketing, and genetics. Despite drought conditions in various regions of the country, the sector has managed to remain resilient thanks to private reservoirs and optimized production methods. However, blueberry production is projected to decline in 2025 due to a shorter harvest period. Furthermore, competition with Peru has led Mexican producers to delay the start of the harvest to avoid market saturation with lower prices.

Growing Berries

In the Seminar program, the businessman Jose Luis Bustamante, former president of Anemones and currently president of Planasawill also provide a market update on other berries in Mexico, addressing their production, marketing, and genetics. Blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry production will increase in 2025, also driven by rising domestic and foreign demand, improved varieties, and technology applied to the different phases of agricultural management. For blackberries, production for the current season will be 250.000 tons, equivalent to a 3% increase over the previous season's 243.000 tons. Raspberry production is projected at 219.000 tons, 7% higher than last season, and strawberry production is projected to reach 700.000 tons, representing a 6% increase over the previous season.

Mexico leads the world in blackberry production and exports and is the second-largest exporter of raspberries. It remains in fifth place in strawberry production and exports, and sixth in blueberry exports.

full program

In addition to the important commercial challenges that the industry meeting will analyze and address, the International Seminar program addresses key topics of interest to Mexican producers, such as substrate characterization; irrigation efficiency; the use of growth regulators; integrated management of foliar, wood, root, and crown diseases; pest control; and climate stress management in plants. Crop nutrition, quality, and productivity, as well as the availability of new varieties, among other topics, will also be addressed by the various Mexican and international specialists invited to the meeting.

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