TerraFlux Agrotech bets on organic blueberries with 100 hectares of Mágica in Mexico

TerraFlux entered blueberry production in Mexico with 100 hectares of Mágica under organic management in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco. The planting was established in March 2025 and began its first harvest just eight months later, in November.

The company originated from a joint initiative between Alpine Fresh, a U.S.-based marketer with several decades of experience, and Solum Partners, an investment firm focused on managing agricultural portfolios and assets. Following its partners’ previous experience with a project developed in Peru, the initiative expanded into Mexico, initially with berry production.

In its first stage, TerraFlux established 100 hectares primarily of blackberries and raspberries. In 2024, a new management team joined the company, led by David Aymans as CEO and Diego Echenique as COO. Both have extensive experience at Hortifrut and in developing projects in Peru, China, Chile, Ecuador and Mexico. The company then moved forward with another 100 hectares, this time dedicated to organic Mágica blueberries, a variety from the OZblu portfolio. This brought TerraFlux’s total berry acreage in Mexico to approximately 200 hectares.

Its blueberry production is primarily destined for the U.S. market and was established at a density of 6,900 plants per hectare, a decision based on both the team’s previous experience in Mexico and production benchmarks from Peru. According to Aymans, this configuration is well suited to the crop’s early development and to the characteristics of Mágica under the specific growing conditions of Lagos de Moreno.

A first harvest while plants are still developing

The technical and operational due diligence process began in August 2024, while the first earthworks and site preparation started in November of the same year. Planting took place in March 2025, and the first fruit was harvested in November.

With the plants still in their establishment phase, TerraFlux considers this season an initial indication of the field’s production potential. In some areas, yields ranged from 2.2 to 2.3 kilograms per plant.

The company is planning a gradual expansion of its blueberry acreage while continuing to consolidate its current operation. “We are consolidating the management of our operational, production and human resources teams, which is giving us an excellent foundation for growth,” Aymans said.

As part of this process, TerraFlux has identified labor management, water resources and operating cost control among its main challenges. The company has also implemented strategic sustainability plans that have enabled it to obtain various certifications.

One area where the company has made progress is infrastructure for harvest workers, many of whom come from other parts of the country. “We have been prioritizing areas such as accommodation for our harvest workers, since many of them come from other regions. We want to ensure that conditions are appropriate and that this service infrastructure develops alongside the farming operation,” Aymans explained.

Growing conditions in Los Altos de Jalisco

The farm is located in Los Altos de Jalisco, at approximately 1,700 to 2,000 meters above sea level. Aymans particularly highlighted the cool conditions during fall and winter, which favor the plants’ induction and differentiation processes.

Spring temperatures remain moderate and can stay that way through April, while the rainy season generally begins in June. This allows much of the harvest to take place under moderate temperatures and relatively dry conditions. At the same time, crop management requires close monitoring of VPD, radiation and temperature fluctuations from flowering throughout the harvest period.

Frost is one condition that requires particular attention. Although low temperatures can occur, Aymans explained that these events are generally short-lived. With appropriate protection systems, he said, the risk of damage can be reduced, particularly for newly set fruit.

Flowering begins in October, while harvest can start toward the end of November and continue through mid- to late April. The company’s goal is to maintain a relatively flat production curve at the beginning of the season before reaching its highest volumes in February and March.

An organic production system built around prevention

The farm’s organic status has also shaped its crop protection strategy. TerraFlux works with a predictive model supported by monitoring, identifying areas with different levels of pest pressure and implementing targeted controls according to each pest’s stage of development.

“With organic production, we are much more compelled to stay at the forefront of these types of control strategies,” Aymans said. He explained that the company seeks to approach production as an agricultural ecosystem rather than simply as a production field.

From its original design, the farm has incorporated strategies based on biomass and native flora to develop biological corridors, as well as the use of beneficial insects and other natural enemies, together with microorganisms. Within the latter group, Aymans particularly highlighted Trichoderma, which is used at different stages to control postharvest fungi.

An integrated fruit handling operation

TerraFlux also manages its entire operational chain in-house. Fruit is transported from the field to the company’s own packing facility, where it undergoes precooling both upon arrival as raw product and again after packing.

The company also has equipment to pack the fruit into different clamshell formats according to commercial requirements. According to Aymans, this integration allows TerraFlux to maintain direct control from fruit reception through to the finished product and reach the warehouses required by its U.S. marketer within no more than 24 hours.

Mexico as a complement to Peru and Chile

For Aymans, proximity to North America remains one of Mexico’s main advantages as a producing origin. This is complemented by a production window that allows Mexico to complement supply from other origins.

“Mexico is a key location for berry production in general, particularly because of its versatility in producing blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. In the case of blueberries specifically, I believe it plays a key role in complementing Peru and Chile, as each season has brought greater definition to the production window for Mexican supply,” he said.

The ability to reach the U.S. and Canadian markets within hours represents an important advantage. However, Aymans cautioned that proximity does not eliminate the need for precision in areas such as cold chain management, operational processes, crop forecasting and labor planning.

For the executive, an inaccurate production forecast can directly affect labor requirements and ultimately have repercussions throughout the logistics and commercial chain.

These advantages are reinforced by Mexico’s diversity of production areas and an export chain supported by road connectivity and a strong phytosanitary framework, which, according to Aymans, provide favorable conditions for the continued development of blueberry production in the country.