Mexican blueberry and blackberry producer Berries Paradise began its fresh fruit exports for the 2012-13 season with a sea shipment to Japan.

The company projects growth in maritime blueberry exports for the season. Chairman Francisco J. Ortiz Esquivel told www.freshfruitportal.com that seaborne shipments of the fruit could exceed 200 tons (MT).

In January 2012, Berries Paradise became the first Mexican blueberry exporter to send a maritime shipment abroad with its initial departure to the Asian country.

While shipments for now are only made to Japan, Ortiz Esquivel said there are possibilities on the horizon for new markets such as England or the Netherlands. Other potential destinations include Hong Kong and Italy.

In Japan's case, Ortiz Esquivel said the fruit had been well received due to high quality and promotion in big chains such as Walmart.

He explained that for now, however, Mexico was still learning to manage the crop.

"Little by little, I think we are improving our management in production, harvest, post-harvest and achieving volumes of some importance in which Mexico would start to play a role," he said.

Ortiz Esquivel spoke about the weather in production zones such as Jalisco, Michoacán and Colima.

"There are many places where you can produce but getting quality is difficult. It must be done with quality or you cannot run with it. You must go slowly to do things right," he explained.

The 2012-13 cycle began in December and ends in June.

www.freshfruitportal.com