US: Mexico’s Baja Region main supplier Brussels sprouts

This time of the year, the Baja region in Mexico is the main supplier of Brussels sprouts for the US market says Russ Widerburg from Boskovich Farms. Mexico’s climate allows for an almost year-round supply of the vegetable. Depending on the time of the year, production also comes from the Mexicali, San Luis and coastal areas of Mexico. From August through November, Brussels sprouts are grown domestically, with most supplies coming from California.

This year’s supply from the Baja region is good says Mr. Widerburg. Over the past five to six years, the industry has seen an increase in consumption. To meet demand, Boskovich Farms has increased its acreage every year for the past five years with an estimated annual increase of 15 to 20 percent.

Brussels sprouts used to be a bulk product, but food safety has driven the availability of pre-packaged products. Innovative packaging has significantly improved the eye-appeal and consequently, consumers increasingly try Brussels sprouts in their meals. As a result of high demand, prices are good. For a 25 lb. unit, prices were in the mid $30s during the past month and are in the low to mid $30s at the moment. The industry is still feeling the consequences of the cold weather on the East Coast. It has caused demand to be lower than normal. However, once the weather improves, demand will go up again says Mr. Widerburg. In addition to distribution across the United States, Canada is also a destination for Brussels sprouts during winter and spring.

The main challenge for the industry is to grow a product of consistently high quality. Brussels sprouts attract insects and it is key to keep them out of the product. Mildew is another concern as it causes spotting. The industry puts a lot of effort in controlling insects and mildew to secure the quality of the product.

Boskovich is a family owned farm that has been around for almost 100 years.

For more information:
Russ Widerburg
Boskovich Farms
russ@boskovichfarms.com
www.boskovichfarms.com