Representatives of international berry company Driscoll’s have spoken about the ever-present issue of pesticide control in Mexico, as well as a fruit fly that is currently wreaking havoc on the country’s crops. 

At the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Connection: Mexico event, food safety manager supervisor Eden Laura and food safety manager liaison Omar Sanchez talked to www.freshfruitportal.com about how the timing of the fruit fly's incubation period makes it a serious problem for producers.

"Throughout Mexico the whole berry industry is battling a fruit fly pest, which has been giving us a lot of trouble with plants' health," Lara said.

The fruit fly, called Drosophila Suzukii, reaches the fruit when it is maturing. The fly then reproduces and lays its eggs on the berries very quickly.

"It has an incubation period of two to three days and this usually takes place during the fruit ripening stage. So once the fruit is harvested, it already has the plague," Laura added.

"This means that the fruit often arrives to the consumer with larvae, which is not attractive."

Sanchez then spoke about the issue of pesticides in the Latin American country, and how Driscoll's is constantly looking for new ways it can reduce their use.

"Pesticide regulations are always important in the issue of operational compliance. The times are very challenging for us at the moment," he said.

"I am currently seeking not only management that is based on chemical application, but also other agricultural or cultural practices that help control pests and only use chemicals as a last resort.

"That is something we are constantly looking for as now the regulations are somewhat stricter. We have many limitations in terms of products we can use, and so we need to look for alternatives."

Driscoll’s is currently in its 21^st season in Mexico, where it grows raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries in the western regions of Baja California, Jalisco and Michoacan.

The U.S. is the company's main target market, though it also sends fruit to Europe, Asia, and Australia, meaning that chemical control is essential.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com