Mario Steta qualified as an Agronomist from the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Queretaro, with an MS Degree on Vegetable Crops from the University of California, Davis, and participant of IPADE’s AD2 executive program, and of California’s Agricultural Executive Seminar. With experience in the vegetable seed sector, he has been involved in horticultural farming and production for over 30 years, specifically focusing on controlled environments and export markets, establishing and operating Agros, one of Mexico’s first high-tech greenhouse facilities. He has also been involved in organic production.
He joined Driscoll`s in 2009, managing Mexico`s operations through 2017 and Latin America through 2020. He was also the Director of Operations for EMEA from September 2020 to October 2024 and the vice president of Sustainability, Compliance, and Governmental Affairs from November 2024.
He was responsible for founding and heading Mexico’s Greenhouse Growers’ Association (initially AMPHI, now AMHPAC), the Berry Exporters Association (ANEBERRIES), and the International Horticultural Alliance for the Promotion of Social Responsibility (AHIFORES), as well as for establishing trading companies and partnerships.
He has also been involved in several international industry and trade groups, being an invited columnist and speaker in different industry forums in North America, Europe, and Asia. Co-coordinating the Labour Track of the USMCA re-negotiation for Mexico’s private sector, he has participated as a Board Member of various entities, including Grupo Agros, Agropark, Grupo IDESA, JV Smith Companies, United Fresh Produce Association (Washington DC), and the National Agricultural Council (CAN-Mexico). Of late, he is perhaps best known as the recent Chairman of the International Blueberry Organisation (IBO) since January 2024.
We put Mario Steta, IBO Chairman, in the hot seat and fired a few quick questions.
I hope to see several outcomes:
First, and above all, attendees gain a deep and clear understanding of South Africa and the potential of Southern Africa for blueberry production.
At the presentation of the IBO Strategic Plan, attendees will gain insight into the industry’s current state and what can be achieved in the next 5-10 years by working together.
That open and direct communication and interaction are the best way to deal with the challenges and opportunities of one of the few true global produce crops.
Lastly, the intense growth that has taken place in recent years will only endure if we respond to consumer expectations and help our growers remain viable.
A combination of elements highlights the need to increase productivity and our competitive position, but this is now becoming more challenging due to the impacts of climate change in some regions, with water being the most significant limitation. Labour availability in some regions continues to be a challenge and will likely remain so. Evolution of genetics to replace old varieties delivering upon flavour, quality and shelf life that can compete with other offerings on the supermarket shelves. The need to elevate our commitment to food safety, as well as social and environmental standards, even further. Over-saturation of the market occurs at certain times of the year, particularly when regions overlap, as seen in the 2022-2023 season, which is a prime example.
The explosion of new varieties for all regions, except the northern high bush, which has been left behind and may eventually make a comeback. Impact of new varieties on flavour profiles, shelf life, productivity and in some instances, disease resistance, with more balanced plant architectures. As stated above, breeding programs that can respond to the impacts of climate change, including those related to high temperatures and water scarcity, are now a necessity. The accelerated incorporation of varieties will cause the industry to replace plantings every 5 years, as opposed to every 10 years or more, which has been the traditional practice until now.