When talking about Mexico, most people will probably think of tequila straight away. Someone from the agricultural food sector might remember that Mexico is the largest exporter of beer globally, the Netherlands taking second place. How many people would think of soft fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries)? Because they should certainly think of Mexico when talking about soft fruit.
Soft fruit is gaining in popularity worldwide. This is partly due to the healthy characteristics, they are sometimes even referred to as ‘super fruits.’ On the European market the term ‘super foods’ has also been introduced, and refers to foods full of antioxidants and nutrients. It is occurring increasingly often that supermarkets include these super foods in their range. Besides the health aspect, berries are also easy because they do not need to be peeled, they are visually attractive and are easy to take with you.
Export important for growth
Soft fruit is the fifth most important agricultural product of Mexico. The land occupies fourth place in the global soft fruit cultivation. The main types are raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Although the domestic market for qualitatively and exclusive soft fruit is growing, export is the main reason for the sector’s growth. Protected horticulture in particular is responsible for this growth and has significant advantages for the Mexican countryside.
Mexico consists of 32 states. Of these, the largest soft fruit producing states are Michoacán (71.2% of total production), Baja California (14%), Jalisco (8.9%) and Guanajuato. Quantity and quality of the final product mean a large part of the soft fruit is suitable for export. Countries the Mexican soft fruit is currently being exported to include the US, the Netherlands, the UK, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and China.
In 2013 Mexico still took third place concerning the export of soft fruit. In 2014 more than 132,000 tonnes of soft fruit, with a commercial value of just over 742 million dollar, was exported. In 2015 total export of Mexican soft fruit to the Netherlands amounted to 5.5 million Euro.
Demand for soft fruit is increasing globally partly due to its healthy character. Soft fruit is coming on in northern European countries. The Rabobank expects consumption volume of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries in the EU to increase by at least seven per cent per year over the next five years, and the sales of strawberries will rise by approximately two per cent. However, it is not expected that the EU will follow in the footsteps of the US, because soft fruit is the main category in American supermarkets’ fresh produce sector.
Of course Mexico is not the only player on the world stage. Mexico, however, does have very suitable geographical characteristics for the cultivation of soft fruit at its disposal, and, moreover, they can harvest during periods it is not possible to do so in other parts of the world. These factors ensure that it is estimated that the Mexican soft fruit production will double over the next five years. It is also estimated that a growth of 20-30 per cent will occur in the sector over the next eight years. We will therefore most likely see companies other than Koppert Development Institute Berries open their doors as well. This obviously offers opportunities for suppliers and importers in the Netherlands.