Mexico’s blueberry industry is redefining its production strategy. The introduction of new varieties, rising cost pressures, reduced labor availability and increasingly demanding quality requirements are prompting growers and companies to reassess how they produce and the tools they need to remain competitive.
Varietal renewal is one of the clearest signs of this process, although progress has not been uniform. While some companies have incorporated premium genetics and renewed a significant share of their fields, other growers continue to rely on open varieties or older plantings, in a context where the investment required to make the transition is also influencing the pace of change.
Commenting on this stage of the Mexican industry, Sebastián Ochoa, director of CASM Blueberries, emphasizes that introducing new varieties is only one part of the transformation. “To unlock the potential, you need genetics. And to unlock that genetic potential, you need the right crop management. So, it is a combination of both factors.”
This interaction between genetics, crop management and production results will be one of the key themes of the 2nd International Blueberry Production Specialization Course, organized by CASM Blueberries and taking place on October 28–29 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
A comprehensive approach to production
The first day, on October 28 at the Hard Rock Hotel Guadalajara, will bring together national and international specialists to address key factors that directly influence production performance in blueberry fields.
The program will cover plant physiology, production efficiency, plant health and genetics. Sebastián Ochoa will discuss the physiological foundations for optimizing blueberry production, while Simón Muñoz will examine the shift from a volume-driven production model toward a strategy focused on generating greater value.
The program will also explore factors that can limit the productive potential of blueberry fields. Andrés France will address the crop’s main phytosanitary challenges and their impact on plant development and production.
Genetic evolution will be addressed by Jorge Pacheco, director of operations at OZblu Sun Farms, who said his presentation will seek to translate the varietal discussion into concrete results.
“My presentation will focus on the evolution of genetics, using more data, images and numbers. Rather than just talking about it, I want to show growers the reality behind the numbers and make it very tangible,” he explains. His presentation will include results obtained with different genetics, what lies ahead, and comparisons with production experiences in other countries.
The conference day will also include a panel discussion with CEOs and industry leaders, moderated by Sebastián Ochoa, to examine the sector’s current landscape and the challenges facing Mexican blueberry production.
From the conference room to the field
On October 29, the event will move to OZblu Sun Farms for a Field Day led by the CASM Blueberries technical team.
Through a series of technical stations in the field, participants will be able to analyze crop management practices and observe, under commercial production conditions, some of the concepts discussed the previous day, connecting physiology, plant health and genetics with the decisions made every day in the field.
Mexico’s blueberry industry is no longer facing only the question of which genetics to incorporate, but also how to manage them to translate their potential into productivity and fruit quality. In Guadalajara, that discussion will move from the conference room to the field, giving participants the opportunity to contrast technical concepts with practical experience and results under real production conditions.
The 2nd International Blueberry Production Specialization Course will take place on October 28–29 in Guadalajara. View the full program and register here.
