Blackberry planting, harvesting and production in Mexico are expected to drop slightly in 2010, continuing a dip that began last year after market distribution problems, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

In 2009, Mexican blackberry growers planted 8,131 hectares of the fruit, down slightly from 8,193 hectares in 2008. More area was harvested in 2009 compared with 2008, but the total production slipped from 118,421 metric tons in 2008 to 115,960 metric tons in 2009, the report, published Sept. 10, 2010, said.

Blackberry planting, harvesting and production more than doubled from 2007 to 2008, and that rapid increase may have oversupplied the market, the report said, accounting for the losses the next year. Prices fell in 2009, and some growers stopped shipping product, further compounding the loss, the report said.

Other losses were caused by growers abandoning their fields, and that was expected to continue in 2010, the report said.

 Despite the difficulties, growers in Mexico continue to find value in blackberry production. Mexican growers sent 74 percent of their exports to the U.S., its biggest market, from October 2009 to May 2010, the report said. Other important markets include the United Kingdom and Belgium.

Source: Fresh Fruit Portal