Mexico is one of the world’s leading producers of blueberries, ranking sixth globally. Production is projected to be 73.500 metric tons (MT) for calendar year 2025, representing a nine percent decrease from calendar year 2024, based on a shorter harvest period. Mexico’s exports for calendar year 2025 are projected to be 70.000 MT and imports are projected to be 20.000 MT. While still well below the annual per capita consumption levels of the United States and other leading global consumers of blueberries, Mexico’s consumption is expected to more than double between 2023 and 2024 with increased consumer awareness of the berries and related health benefits. The United States is expected to remain Mexico’s leading export market for blueberries and its largest supplier.

Mexico’s blueberry sector benefits from favorable growing conditions, proximity to the United States, its main export market, and market access to parts of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Growers are focused on implementing advanced production technologies, including new varieties and new cultivation techniques, to manage climatic challenges and improve fruit quality and flavor. In response to competitive pressure from Peru and Chile, which offer berries of comparable quality at a lower price, Mexican growers have strategically delayed the start of the harvest season.

Production:
Mexico is the sixth largest producer of blueberries worldwide. Calendar year (CY) 2025 production is 73,500 metric tons (MT), representing a 9 percent decrease from CY 2024 due to a shorter harvest period. Faced with competition from Peru and Chile, which supply berries of comparable quality at a lower cost, many Mexican producers report having delayed the start of the harvest from October to February (see Chart 2), in line with the slowdown in the South American harvest. By delaying the start of the harvest and thus shortening the overall harvest period, producers seek to reduce labor costs (temporary and day labor) and export their blueberries when their competitors’ production is lower, offsetting the lower overall production with increased revenue during the February-May period.

Blueberry production in Mexico benefits from favorable growing conditions, available labor, and proximity to the U.S. market. Planted acreage is projected to decline slightly in 2025 as growers shift to improved, higher-yielding proprietary varieties. Jalisco and Sinaloa (see Map 1) are expected to remain the leading blueberry producing states, with Sinaloa projected to increase its production in calendar year 2025 based on favorable growing conditions, including adequate access to water.

Faced with water shortages in recent years, Mexican growers are increasingly adopting drought-resistant varieties and technological innovations such as using substrates to plant in pots instead of in the ground. Many growers are installing more efficient irrigation systems and private water reservoirs.