Strawberries market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the strawberry market in Mexico saw significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. It expanded sharply to 673.8 thousand metric tons in 2019, driven by a multi-year increase in planted area and a near-doubling of production since 2011, which strengthened Mexico's position as a key supplier to the North American market under the NAFTA framework. Growing international demand and a consumer shift towards healthy foods further supported this growth.

The market contracted to 441.2 thousand metric tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the food service channel, a major outlet for consumption. While perceived health benefits boosted strawberry demand in some segments, the overall market volume remained pressured. In 2021, despite a growing U.S. market where Mexico is the leading exporter, strong outbound shipments contributed to a further reduction in domestic availability, with the market volume declining to 376.9 thousand metric tons.

Recovery began in 2022, with the market volume rising to 400.6 thousand metric tons, supported by an increase in national production. This rebound accelerated in 2023, with market volume reaching 483.1 thousand metric tons. This was directly fueled by a 10.8% year-on-year increase in production to 641.6 thousand metric tons, aided by favorable climatic conditions and ongoing investments in post-harvest technology and supply chain infrastructure to meet stringent international safety and quality standards.

Production strawberries in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico maintained the third position globally in strawberry production volume.

Top producers of strawberries, 2018-2021

World map of production of strawberries, 2018-2021

Mexico's strawberry production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 542.9 thousand tons of strawberries, marking a slight decrease of 2.6% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 16.9%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 6.0%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 861.3 thousand tons, with the largest increase occurring that year at 31.8%. In contrast, the most significant drop was observed in 2020, when production decreased by 35.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports strawberries from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Mexico's foreign strawberry supplies reached 182.5 thousand tons, showing a substantial year-over-year increase of 45.0%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 53.6%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 15.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 199.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 67.6%. The most notable decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 36.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was overwhelmingly the primary destination for Mexico's strawberry exports in kind, accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of strawberries from Mexico increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 735.9 million US dollars, rising by 25.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 78.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States served as the main outlet for Mexico's strawberry exports in value terms, consistently absorbing 99.8% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Imports strawberries to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a 1.7-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Mexico imported 9.6 thousand tons of strawberries, representing a 72.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 9.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In the 2018-2021 period, the United States remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of strawberries to Mexico, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Mexico imported 50.8 million US dollars worth of strawberries, marking a 17.4% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 17.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 43.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States dominated the country structure of Mexico's strawberry imports in value terms, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021