In this installment of the ‘Agronometrics In Charts’ series, we analyze future challenges of the Mexican blueberry industry. Each week the series looks at a different horticultural commodity, focusing on a specific origin or topic visualizing the market factors that are driving change.

In the last decade, global blueberry production and consumption have experienced remarkable growth, driven by improvements in quality due to new genetic varieties, year-round fruit availability, and a significant increase in marketing budgets.

In this global expansion context, Mexico and Peru have played crucial roles, especially in the Americas, as reflected in a notable increase in their exports. Mexico, in particular, has consolidated its position as a key supplier of fresh blueberries to the United States, standing out during the months of March and April.

However, the past season presented unforeseen challenges due to the El Niño phenomenon, which coincided with the export periods of Mexico, Peru, and Chile, as well as U.S. domestic production. This phenomenon caused a shortage of blueberries in the U.S. market, resulting in unprecedented price volatility.

Mexico benefits from its geographic proximity to markets such as the United States and Canada, which provides a competitive advantage in terms of logistics costs and average prices. Currently, more than 85% of Mexico's blueberry exports are destined for the United States, which, while offering a significant advantage, also implies a high dependency on a single market. This single-market focus represents both a challenge and an opportunity to diversify into new markets and increase domestic consumption.

To maintain continuous growth, Mexico must focus on the quality of its fruit, primarily adopting patented varieties and gradually reducing the production of Biloxi. Additionally, it is crucial to consolidate its presence in the U.S. market while exploring new opportunities in European, Asian markets, and domestic consumption.

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.

(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)

13.08.24

Source: Freshfruitportal.com