Blackberries are the number one item for H52, grower of different berry varieties in Mexico. The company's name stands for Harvest 52, representing a 52-week supply of berries. "During the 2023-2024 season, we will achieve year-round blackberry supply with our customers in the US and the EU," says the company's Esli Recinos. "It is not an easy task as many factors can affect the production in the fields." This past fall and winter, blackberry production was affected by El Niño. "As a result, we had to modify our offering for the different markets we serve. Other blackberry growing countries were impacted as well.
When asked to comment on current demand, Recinos shared to the US is asking for fruit all year round. "It is a big market that needs fruit the entire year. However, the large number of suppliers forces us to offer fruit against very competitive prices. In Europe on the other hand, we are feeling the economic downturn. It has impacted the demand for our products and increasingly, fruit is brought in from origins that are closer by," Recinos shared.
The company's berries are grown in four states in Mexico, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, and Guanajuato. Depending on the different micro-climate zones of these regions, the orchards are either open fields or covered by a greenhouse. "Every state we grow in has a completely different climate. Therefore, our technicians and engineers have to understand the weather patterns and its variations to determine if the orchard needs to be in an open field with exposure to the sun or just have a shad cloth to protect the fruit from bugs, birds, and contaminants, or be in a full greenhouse format."
Premium label
H52's berries are offered in two different labels. "The first is a traditional clamshell with a kraft paper label and this packaging is exported to over 25 countries in the world," Recinos said. "This year, we introduced a second label which is our Premium Selection." This label is dedicated to premium selected berries that are sweeter, juicier, bigger in size, and have a larger shelf-life."
For more information:
Esli Recinos
H52
Tel: (+52) 33 1655 8199
[email protected]
www.h52.mx