Juan Jose Flores, general director of the National Association of Berry Exporters (Aneberries), told El Vigia that 97 percent of berry production in Mexico is destined for the U.S. and Canada.
Domestic consumption per capita is increasing, but the harvested fruits are mainly sent to the U.S., he stated.
Although they seek to serve broad markets such as China, this is progressing very slowly, he added.
“We projected that 5 percent of the production (would be sent to China), but the tariff issue was not managed at the same time. Since it does not have a free trade agreement, it has been very slow,” he explained.
On blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, tariffs are 16, 25, and 25 percent, plus taxes, which reduces profitability.
While the borders for these fruits are opened, it is necessary to strengthen the national market and create a single region to distribute the fruits, he added.
According to data from Aneberries, Mexican per capita consumption of berries does not exceed one kilo annually, so the opportunity to grow is ample.
In addition, logistical costs and the strength of the peso limit the mobility of the product to markets outside of North America.
“Logically it has an impact on the acquisition of inputs, production costs, the return on change is lower,” Flores explained.
In 2022, 1,046,000 tons of berries were produced, of which, strawberries represented 55.3 percent.
