The 2025 International Seminar of Blueberries Consulting in Guadalajara gathered key stakeholders of Mexico's berry sector amid growing pressures and opportunities. The event, hosted at the Hard Rock Hotel, saw a spectrum of participation from producers, exporters, and officials, reflecting unity in addressing U.S. tariff challenges and solutions to enhance global market stature.
During the seminar's opening, Jorge Esquivel Manterola, Director of Blueberries Consulting, recognized contributions from industry figures such as Francisco "Paco" Ortiz of Berries Paradise. Eduardo Ron Ramos, Jalisco's Agriculture Secretary, underlined the sector's economic impact, emphasizing its foreign currency generation and rural employment significance. He assured producers of continued support through initiatives reflective of regional practices.
A prominent discussion panel titled "The Blueberry Industry: Current Status, Strategies, and Trends" included voices like Miguel Ángel Curiel (Aneberries), Rigoberto Guerrero (Hortifrut México), César Ortiz (Berries Paradise), Roberto Sámano (North Bay Produce), and Rodrigo Orozco (Agrovision México). Panel members expressed unified opposition to U.S. tariff proposals and focused on strategic enhancements in competitiveness and quality. Curiel reiterated the call for "free and fair trade," a sentiment echoed by other panelists.
Industry insiders advocated for increased productivity, superior quality metrics, and efficiency improvements. As the global market enters a "second wave" of berry consumption, industry expansion and advances in genetic cultivation were highlighted as key growth facilitators. Price stability and robust demand, especially in North America, underscore favorable market conditions for Mexican exports.
The seminar also featured an extensive technical agenda, spotlighting innovations in various agricultural technologies and methodologies. Sessions dealt with production advancements, pest management strategies, soil conservation, and post-harvest logistics, solidifying the event's role as a central platform for industry discussion and development.
With active participation from both public and private sectors, this 2025 gathering reaffirmed its role in shaping industry strategy and signals a path forward in productivity and global leadership.
Source: Blueberries Consulting
