Mexican Blueberries Soon to be Exporting to China

According to the Mexican Embassy in China, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) and China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) signed a plant inspection and quarantine requirement agreement, in Mexico City, on November 25, related to China’s importation of blueberries. From this date onwards, Mexican growers and cold storage companies may start exporting blueberries to China upon passing the inspections by AQSIQ’s technical personnel. With these, actual export of blueberries to China is expected to begin by early 2017.

After the agreement signing ceremony, Mr. Enrique Sánchez Cruz, Director of Mexico’s National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality (SENSICA), stated that the successful conclusion of a number of significant agricultural trade agreements with China, all within a short period, reflected the trust between the two countries. He relayed a message by Mr. José Eduardo Calzada Rovirosa, minister of SAGARPA, thanking the Chinese delegation for their visit and the Chinese government for giving the permission to import Mexican avocados, berries, pork and milk from three diary companies, into China. Mr. Sun Da wei, deputy director general of AQSIQ, who signed the agreement for blueberries, commented on the importance of exploring trade in shrimps, other seafood, livestock products, honey, carrots, and castor beans, as well as registering Mexican meat processing companies in China. He also thanked the Mexican government for showing determination to promote mutually beneficial topics.

In November, 2014, China and Mexico signed the agreement for importing Mexican blackberries and raspberries into China. With the signing of the agreement on blueberries, all three Mexican berries are now allowed to enter the China market. Mexico is the world’s fourth largest berry producing country, accounting for 7.9% of the world’s total production. In 2014, Mexico produced 207,000 tons of berries, an almost six fold increase over the last 10 years. 2014’s export volume was 132,000 tons, about 25 times more than 2004. The US, Holland, and the UK are the main export markets, followed by Poland, Austria, and Lithuania.

90% of Mexico’s berries come from the states of Michoacan, Jalisco, Baja Californis, and Colima. The peak production season falls in November and December. Fair amounts are also produced during March to July and September to October. August, January and February are the low months.

Photo source: Mexican Embassy in China