The price of limes from Michoacan hasn't rebounded as a result of lime production starting in the states of Colima, Oaxaca and Guerrero which now are of better quality than those produced in the Tierra Caliente region of Michoacan; by contrast, the lime from Michoacan was sold this week between 2.80 pesos and 3 pesos for the market; and 2.70 pesos for the industry.
Jorge Hernández Gaona, leader of the packers of this fruit, stated that the region's lime is poor because growers have started the orchards' preparation stage. Said stage consists of pruning, sanitation, extending the irrigation periods and fertilization, among other cultural practices that lowers the quality of the citrus when compared to that of the aforementioned entities, which are benefiting significantly from the sea moisture, conditions that do not exist in the Michoacan region, where there is a drought.
This is why Colima has displaced Michoacan in the northern markets, he said. Especially in Monterrey, which is currently buying all the lime it consumes from that entity, so most of the citrus produced in this valley, which amounts to nearly 4,500 tons per week, is destined for the industry. Hernández Gaona concluded by saying he was confident this was a temporary situation and that they had nothing to worry about. Things will improve once the preparation stage is over and the rainy season starts, which will increase the area's moisture and, therefore, the fruit's quality and, thereby prices will improve.
Source: Cambio de Michoacán