In a recent keynote address titled "The impact of berries on the agri-food sector in Mexico" at the 14th International Congress of Aneberries, the former Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico, Víctor Villalobos Arámbula, highlighted the significant role of berry production in the Mexican economy. According to Villalobos, the sector has been instrumental in generating employment, with over 500,000 direct jobs across 21 entities in the country. Specifically, strawberry production accounts for 38% of these jobs, followed by raspberry (23%), blackberry (22%), and blueberry (17%).
Villalobos emphasized the export achievements of the berry sector, noting that Mexico closed 2023 with an export value of USD 3.937 million, marking a nearly 5% increase from the previous year. He attributed this success to the prioritization of public policies that strengthen the berry production chain and facilitate market access. Highlighting Mexico's global standing, he mentioned that blackberries and strawberries are ranked first worldwide in sales, with raspberries holding the second position internationally.
Reflecting on his tenure, Villalobos expressed satisfaction with the progress made in food security and positioning Mexico as a global agro-food power. He underscored the importance of productivity, sustainability, and inclusion as fundamental pillars of his administration's approach. Despite challenges like drought affecting production in 2023, Villalobos pointed out that Mexico's agriculture, which largely relies on rainfall, has continued to contribute to food security.
Source: Blueberries Consulting
