Chile-headquartered company Hortifrut is anticipating huge annual blueberry growth from Mexico over the coming years, according to a company representative. 

Hortifrut Mexico general manager Rigoberto Guerrero also said the company has been shifting focus to accommodate the growth of new varieties of blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.

Speaking to Fresh Fruit Portal, he explained that the objective of the last campaign was to lay the foundations for the rising volumes expected over the coming years.

"There is a boom in berry production at the moment,"Guerrero said.

He noted Mexico's blueberry export volumes to the U.S had almost tripled from 7,500 metric tons (MT) in the 2013-14 season to 21,000MT in 2017-18.

"This year we will end up with 20% more volume, and we predict to continue growing at a rate of 15 to 30% every year for the next four campaigns," said Guerrero.

"This is the fruit that is currently seeing the highest rate of growth, but it should slow down in the next four to six years."

He said that the U.S. would inevitably take the large volumes of Mexican blueberries given the proximity and size of the market, but noted that market diversification was fundamental, saying Hortifrut was aiming to grow in other destinations including Asia, Europe, Russia, South America and Canada.

"What's positive is that by having coordinated production around the world, we can supply all the markets year-round," he said.

Hortifrut has berry production in numerous countries including China, South Africa, the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Peru and Chile.

Guerrero also pointed out that it was important to maintain growth for all the berry categories.

"Since 2013-2014, we have managed to grow three-times the volume of raspberries and blueberries, while in the coming 2018-2019 season, our biggest growth will be 'Madeleine' blackberries in areas like Irapuato and Michoacán, as well as new blueberry plantations in Jalisco, Sinaloa and Guanajuato," he said.

Weather hits strawberry production

Although growth is being seen across the categories in general, strawberry production was affected by adverse weather during this past season.

"This is the second year in a row in which farmers have ended up with more debt. The cold this year was very prolonged, affecting the size of the fruit, which ripened while still small, so a lot of the harvest was sent to be processed," he said.

"The price of the fruit was also not high enough for the farmers make money. Some have lost practically everything after suffering from the constant hail and wind."

Chinese market

Hortifrut has also been busy in the Chinese market, which opened up for Mexican blueberry exports in 2017. As well as shipping fruit from the Latin American country, it has also begun producing blueberries in China through a joint venture with  Joy Wing Mau Agricultural Produce Corporation (JWM).

"It was very exciting in Mexico to see our fruit arriving in China, and we had positive reactions and comments from consumers. It is all down to great teamwork, but there is still lots to do," said Guerrero.

"China does not have much experience with raspberries and blackberries, so it will be a challenge and a great opportunity for success at the same time."

Mexico currently has tariffs of 25% for Mexican blueberry imports, which Guerrero said would hinder growth in the market, but he expected that market access arrangements would be improved in the near future.

www.freshfruitportal.com