Exploring Raspberry Production in Mexico
Raspberries are a strategic crop for Mexico. Its raspberry production represents 15.7% of the world’s production of the crop (p. 11) and its average yield of raspberries has remained relatively stable in recent years, making the country the second-largest producer of raspberries worldwide. (p. 4)
The country produces 128, 848 tons of raspberries in a year on average, which translates to 18.3 tons per hectare. This number is almost double compared with the average annual raspberry yield globally, which is only 6.4 tons per hectare.
In addition, while Mexico sits the second in terms of total raspberry production next to Russia, the Latin American country’s average yield per hectare is three times more than Russia’s, which only produces about 6.0 tons per hectare. (p. 11)
Mexico’s huge raspberry production contributes to the global supply and is also the second top exporter of raspberries next to Spain. (p. 13)
Read on to learn more about the specifics of raspberry production in Mexico.
Mexican Raspberry Production Seasons and Harvests
Raspberry production in Mexico peaks towards the end of the year, with another smaller peak in late spring and early summer. (p. 5)
During December, raspberry yields comprise 19.7% of Mexico’s annual production. Meanwhile, in June, it produces about 13.3% of its annual raspberry yield. These peaks assist in meeting the demand of the US market when weather conditions in the main raspberry production areas in the US face challenges. (p. 5)
However, there are also lull months for raspberry production in Mexico, such as between July and September, when yields are practically null (p. 5)
In recent years, Mexico has been continuously increasing its domestic production of raspberries, signifying the importance of the produce to the country. From 65,388 tons of Mexican raspberries in 2015, the country’s production rose to 146,350 tons in 2020. (p. 20)
This increase is attributable to the annual rise in its raspberry harvest area. Mexican raspberry production was only being done in 3,673 hectares of farming land back in 2015 and has increased to 7,767 hectares in 2020. (p. 20) This expansion in raspberry production area represents an annual average rise of 24.9% annually. (p. 19)
Cultivation Processes for Raspberry Production in Mexico
About 70.7% of raspberry crops in Mexico are grown through the macro tunnels. Since the macro tunnel cultivation process produces more yield than open field growing, it highly contributes to Mexico’s raspberry volumes. In 2020, macro tunnel production contributed to 124,400 tons of raspberries from 6,457 hectares of macro tunnel production area. Its yield from macro tunnels in the said year was valued at 3,359 million Mexican pesos.
Meanwhile, open fields represent 28.6% of total raspberry production in Mexico. The country’s raspberry farmers were able to gather 21,111 tons of raspberries in 1,263 hectares, equating to a production value of 1,359 million Mexican pesos.
In addition, greenhouses and shade netting also contribute to raspberry production in Mexico to a much lesser extent. There are 44 hectares of raspberry-producing greenhouses in Mexico, which yielded 801 tons in 2020. Meanwhile, shade netting has two hectares that produced 38 tons of raspberries in the same year. (p. 25)
In terms of types of raspberry production, Mexico is dominated by conventional raspberry yields, with a harvest area of 7,597 hectares, representing 98.8% of Mexican raspberry production. (p. 26) There is also organic raspberry production being done in 170 hectares of Mexico’s raspberry production area.
Mexican Raspberry Production Areas
Jalisco, Michoacán, and Baja California have been consistently the main raspberry-producing states in Mexico, accounting for 97.8% of national production (p. 4)
Among the top three raspberry-producer states in Mexico, Jalisco is the leader, with a production of 104,080 tons, representing 71.1% of the country’s production. (p. 23)
Meanwhile, Michoacán stands out in terms of yields with 25.5 tons per hectare, followed by Guanajuato with 19.8 tons per hectare.
At the municipal level, Jocotepec and Jalisco lead in raspberry production in Mexico, comprising 29.1% of national production. (p. 5, 24)
Most of these raspberry productions are being handled by Mexican produce companies. The top raspberry supplier companies in Mexico include:
- Driscoll S Operaciones SA De CV
- Mainland Farms SA De CV
- Sun Belle Mexicosa De CV
- Berries Paradise SAPI De CV
- Meridian Fruits SPR De RL
Among these companies, Driscoll and Berries Paradise have the biggest volume of raspberry exports to the US.
Who Buys Mexican Raspberries?
Mexico has managed to bring balance between meeting domestic and international demands for raspberries, with Mexican raspberry exports accounting for 50.5% of its production. (p. 26)
Mexico sends most of its exports to the US, the leading importer of raspberries globally (p. 4) In fact since 2015, Mexico’s raspberry exports to the US have been continuously increasing. In 2020, Mexico’s raspberry exports to the US were worth USD 1.52 billion, representing a rise of 12.6% over the previous year and an increase of 87.7% compared with 2015 Mexican raspberry exports.
Mexico’s raspberry imports to the US are the main raspberry trade flow in the world, which had a value of USD 1.65 billion in 2021. (p. 14)
Aside from the US, which takes 45.9% of the world’s raspberry imports, other countries also source raspberries from Mexico. Other importers of Mexican raspberries include:
- Canada
- the Netherlands
- the United Arab Emirates
- Russia
- Japan
- Saudi Arabia
- Belgium
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Kuwait
ProducePay: Connecting Buyers to Mexican Raspberry Growers
Through the ProducePay Marketplace, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers are able to have easy and convenient means to buy quality raspberries from growers in various regions, including those from Mexico.
The ProducePay Marketplace provides an automated matchmaking process, which allows produce buyers to quickly find growers that meet their specific produce and volume requirements.
ProducePay can also provide various tools, such as sales analyses and market reporting. In addition, growers can utilize ProducePay’s financing options that help them support their financial flow, without the need for collateral.
Contact us to know more about how ProducePay Marketplace can assist with your produce trade.
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