Mexican blueberry production

MEXICAN BLUEBERRY PRODUCTION

Mexican blueberry production has increased significantly in recent years. The acreage of blueberries grown in Mexico broke records almost every year over the period from 2009–2018. In 2018, the planted and harvested acreages reached 9,357 and 8,923 acres, respectively, almost 20 times higher than those in 2009 (Figure 1). As a result, Mexican blueberry production increased from 4 million pounds in 2009 to 89 million pounds in 2018. Blueberries are produced in 10 states of Mexico, with the major blueberry production area concentrated in Central Mexico, including Jalisco, Michoacán, and Sinaloa, which are also the major strawberry-producing states. The national average yield of blueberries was 9,948 pounds per acre (lb/acre) in 2018. Sinaloa ranked highest, with an average yield of 16,059 lbs/acre, almost four times the yield in Florida, a major competitor of Mexican blueberries in the US market. The Mexican blueberry season covers the period from September through June, peaking between February and May, which overlaps the production window of Florida blueberries.