A Mexican industry head believes the rapidly-growing blueberry sector could very soon be granted export access to one of the most sought-after markets in the world. 

National Berry Exporters' Association (Aneberries) president Diego Martínez expected the country to be given the green light to ship to China in November, which is also when Peru's export protocols are set to be signed.

An agreement was reached in September 2014 to allow Mexican raspberry and blackberry exports to the Asian country.

"Our export protocols to China are about to be expanded, and blueberries will be included," Martínez told www.freshfruitportal.com.

"The final revision is being made and will likely be ready toward the end of the month, and probably in November the agreement will be signed with China to allow imports of our blueberries."

Martínez said the first fruit would likely enter the market during 2017.

While Aneberries estimates the Mexican berry category to be growing at around 20% per year, it says blueberries are seeing a substantial 60% growth as new plantings rapidly go in the ground.

"We think that today there must be around 2,000-2,500 hectares of blueberry plantations in Mexico," Martínez said.

The country has been growing the fruit commercially for around 10 years now, with volumes mainly made up of the Biloxi variety.

"We believe there is enormous potential to export strawberries, raspberries and blackberries from Mexico, but obviously we have to develop the market," he said.

Martínez also said Mexico was able to achieve a 10-month supply of blueberries, but said the main issue was that the season effectively came to an end once the U.S.'s begins.

The biggest destinations for Mexican blueberries are currently the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan, and Martínez highlighted the country's relative proximity to many of its markets gave it an edge over a lot of the competition.

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