Climate conditions—particularly a warmer-than-usual winter—have led to an earlier start of blueberry production in Mexico, along with increased pest pressure.
This was highlighted to Blueberries News by Miguel Ángel Curiel, president of the National Association of Berry Exporters of Mexico (Aneberries), and vice president and general manager of Driscoll’s Mexico.
“We have experienced a warmer winter, with less cold than in a typical year. This has brought production forward, increased pest pressure, and reduced plant differentiation rates. These have been the three main impacts of a warmer winter,” he explained.
According to Curiel, the current season is expected to be similar in volume to the previous one. “As of the end of March, the Mexican industry has exported 15% more volume compared to last season. However, the expectation is that this increase will be offset by a decline during the rest of the spring season due to weather conditions.”
In this regard, he noted that the earlier start of the season—by approximately a couple of weeks—has resulted in a concentration of volumes at an earlier stage. “Compared to last season, we are seeing an increase, but part of that volume will be lost as production declines faster than expected,” he added.
Strong dependence on the North American market
Regarding destinations, Curiel highlighted the strong dependence on the North American market.
“The United States is, without a doubt, the main market. Canada ranks second, and the domestic Mexican market comes third. Approximately 85% to 90% of blueberries are exported to the United States,” he noted.
He also mentioned that Japan remains a relevant destination for much of the year, while Europe continues to have a smaller share.
“In general, blueberries are in very high demand in the United States during the spring, which leaves little room for exports to other destinations,” he added.
A varietal replacement process that continues to grow
The varietal replacement process continues to advance strongly within the Mexican industry. Traditional varieties such as Ventura and Biloxi are being displaced by new, higher-performing genetics.
“What we are seeing is a shift toward varieties with higher yields, better berry size, and improved flavor profiles. Among the new varieties gaining ground are Sekoya, Mágica, and Keecrisp,” Curiel explained.
According to the executive, these genetics—along with others—could account for more than 80% of the industry by 2028–2030.
Currently, the industry has more than 12,000 hectares planted. “While there is ongoing renewal of planted area, in recent years a slight decrease in total planted surface has been observed. Peak production was reached four or five seasons ago, at around 87 million kilos. Since then, the planted area has tended to adjust,” he noted.
The challenge of maintaining quality
Maintaining quality—especially in North America—stands out as one of the main challenges for the Mexican blueberry industry.
“It will be essential to maintain shelf space with high-quality fruit, in a context where prices are high,” he stated.
In this regard, he emphasized the importance of safeguarding the fruit’s positioning. “We must uphold quality standards and avoid the risk of deterioration. Mexican blueberries are positioned as a fresh, high-quality product, and that is something we need to protect,” Curiel concluded.
