02142015Sat
Last updateFri, 13 Feb 2015 3pm

Jalisco berry exports up thanks to new Chinese market

The Chinese market for Mexican raspberries and blackberries has opened and is expected to lead to skyrocketing profits and significant growth in the sector. The first batch was sent from Jalisco this month after a deal was signed in November 2014.

According to forecasts by the Ministry of Rural Development (Seder), the Chinese deal could triple the current 20,000 Jalisco berry jobs and lead to a rapid expansion in the acreage devoted to the sector.

“Entering China is a great opportunity to increase our acreage to 6,000 hectares in the coming years and then to 10,000 hectares.” said Seder Commercial Director Rene Lopez Ruelas. “There are many benefits, these berries are replacing some consumer habits; for example, they are being sold in theatres in the United States instead of popcorn and they are replacing bananas at breakfast, because they have less calories, taste great, and provide energy to live day by day.” 

Jalisco and Michoacan are leaders in the production of strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry. Last year, Mexico produced a total of 538,000 tons of berries with a value of US$9 billion.