Agronometrics in Charts: 2022 : Raspberries in Review

Over the last two years raspberry consumption has increased in the U.S. market by more than 25% in economic terms, explains Alan Ediger, vice president of sales for California Giant Berry Farms. To meet this growing demand, the United States imports a large quantity of raspberries; imports occur mainly from Mexico between the months of October and May, which accounts for 96% of total U.S. imports, thus this country  is the main supplier of raspberries to the United States.

Mexico

“Production of raspberries in Mexico has increased and it overlaps with the U.S. season which created an early season glut, if you combine that with an oversupply on Peruvian blueberries, it’s created a sluggish market on raspberries. The market has definitely been year over year experiencing lower pricing and higher supply,” says Ben Escoe of Twin River Berries. Jalisco, Baja California and Michoacán have taken advantage of the climatic conditions of the country to harvest raspberries in spring, summer and autumn. Additionally, they schedule their harvests for the winter, when it is impossible for many growers to compete and therefore prices are at their highest. Owing to the seasonal advantage, low production costs and the border it shares with the United States, Mexico managed to rank as the second largest producer in the world, only behind Russia. According to Aneberries, the total berry market would reach 584 thousand tons this year. Earlier during the year, The National Association of Berry Exporters projected that in 2022, the total value of raspberry exports will exceed $3 billion. Looking even further ahead, Escoe notes that 2023 will be a bigger year for raspberries. “There are definitely new genetics being tested on raspberries as well as blackberries coming in the next year or two,” he said.