Mexico is the new champion in strawberry exports

Mexico has emerged as the leading strawberry export champion, with a notable 63% increase in strawberry cultivation areas from 2011 to 2019, reaching 10,375 hectares. This surge has resulted in a 97% rise in production to 443,994 tons in 2019 and a significant increase in exports, which surpassed 200,000 tons in the same year. The country's competitive edge in the international market is attributed to factors such as favorable climate, use of advanced strawberry varieties, protected cultivation, and lower labor costs. However, the increased exports have drawn concerns from US growers in Florida, who seek restrictions on Mexican strawberry imports due to fears of price competition during their harvest season. Despite these concerns, a researcher at the National Institute for Forest and Agricultural Research (INIFAP) highlights that Mexico is the primary grower and exporter of fresh strawberries in the USMCA trade agreement during the fall and winter, a period when the US experiences a strawberry shortage. Furthermore, he clarified that Mexican strawberry growers do not receive subsidies, as they import the majority of their cultivation necessities and pay higher prices compared to their Californian and Floridian counterparts.