The export industry berries from Mexico has had a very good start to the campaign, as the Thanksgiving holidays in the United States boosted sales, with an increase of between 5 and 6% for exports of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. An increase in sales at Christmas is also expected in the markets of the United States, Europe and the Far East, according to engineer José Luis Bustamante, president of the National Association of Berry Exporters of Mexico (Aneberries).

«Our Mexican season began in August 2022 and will end in July 2023. Right now, at the beginning of the export season for Thanksgiving, which is a very important day for Mexican agricultural products that are exported to the United States, in especially the berries, we have done well. We exported 4.500 tons of raspberries during Thanksgiving week, an increase compared to previous years that is 5-6% above previous seasons for all of the berries. The strawberry export season has just started. We export a little in October, but during November and December and again between January and March, we have higher volumes, and that is our export window. Volumes are lower in the US market due to weather conditions in California and Florida. Consequently, sales prices rise and the situation appears positive for the berries Mexicans. We had a promising start, we have enough fruit in Mexico to cover our orders. In the case of strawberries, 98% were sent to our main markets, the US and Canada,” explains Bustamante.

Blueberries

As for blueberries, Bustamante says they are moving away from the fall window in the US due to the abundance of supply from Peru at that time. «We are delaying production, our goal is to start in December, and we are looking for the peak of the season to fall in March and April. Our goal is to supply the market 52 weeks a year. Blueberries show increasing demand. Right now, we see the market continuing to grow, but perhaps not as fast as previously. We also send a large component of our blueberry exports to the Far East and a little to the Middle East. We complement US production, we can ship during the winter months. The Far East is a very good market that is attractive for Mexican producers, especially because blueberries are the only berry able to endure the long journey there. We are convinced that blueberries have a great opportunity in the Far East.

Raspberries

Bustamante says they have the goal of growing raspberries all year round in Mexico, a country that has become the world's second largest exporter of raspberries behind Russia. «We are in a very interesting situation because it requires a lot of labor, especially during the harvest. Technological advances have been made that allow us to grow crops in Mexico almost all year round. The opportunity to ship product all year round has also increased. There is great potential that we can grow along with the good demand from the US. Our goal is not only to sell the volume, but also to do it in a way that the market can absorb it. We also export our raspberries and blackberries to Europe, but North America remains the largest market.

Strawberries

According to Bustamante, strawberry prices in Mexico's domestic market can sometimes reach levels higher than those of exports. «During the months of November and December, the export market is higher. The Christmas season is very good for our berries, as demand and prices increase, which helps offset costs that continue to rise. For us, it is a good time. Strawberries sell especially well during Christmas and Valentine's Day, without forgetting Mother's Day and Easter, which is close to our window," he details.

Increased cost of inputs

Bustamante says that the Mexican sector of the berry It also notices the effects of rising input costs, which reduces the profitability of producers. «We also have higher input costs. Inflation is putting pressure on our producers. Being a specialty crop, we have to buy plastic for the tunnels, and its price has increased. Steel prices are also increasing and that puts pressure on new production fields. Fortunately, in Mexico we can produce nitrogen fertilizers, although we have to import a lot of fertilizers from abroad. “Shipping and logistics limit exports to distant countries, so it’s good to be close to the US.”

temporary labor

«As far as labor is concerned, we also predict that having immigrant workers in Mexico will become more important. Most producers come from the communities in which the crops are grown. berries. As production grows, we will need more workers. We have to bring workers from the south of Mexico to the center of the country, and once they finish, they leave in May of each year to collect grapes in Sonora, and then they also collect asparagus near the border," concludes Bustamante.