Guadalajara, Jalisco - After having reached exports amounting to 2,241 million dollars in 2018, producers and exporters of berries in Mexico are looking towards market diversification to stop dependency on the U.S. market.

According to the president of the National Association of Berry Exporters (Aneberries), Aldo Mares Benavides, last year 364,000 tons of berries were sent abroad to 35 countries, but 90% of that amount was destined for the United States. "We are the third agricultural product that generates more foreign exchange," said the leader of the sector.

However, faced with the scenario of uncertainty represented by the U.S. market due to the economic policy of President Donald Trump, producers and exporters of berries in Mexico are analyzing the possible advantages of trading with other markets such as China.

"We are even asking ourselves whether or not this market is an alternative, because it is very easy to see that it is a market of more than 1 billion consumers and the possibility of consumption they have, but you have to see it properly and know the experience of those who are already exporting to that market and fully identify the windows of opportunity," said Aneberries CEO, Juan Jose Flores Garcia.

"Today in international markets, if we do not maintain the concept of safety, social responsibility and sustainability, we are not in the big leagues," said Flores Garcia.

According to Aneberries, currently in Mexico there are 44,000 hectares cultivated with berries in 22 states of the country. Of these, the main producers are Michoacan, Jalisco, Baja California and Guanajuato, although the main exporter is Jalisco which provides 60% of the value of exports.

"It is the agricultural export crop that has had the greatest growth in recent years," said the president of the association, Aldo Mares Benavides, who reiterated that berries are the third largest generator of foreign exchange in the country only after beer and avocado.

El Economista article translated and edited by Fresh Plaza.