Several exporters of fruits and vegetables from Puebla are struggling to comply with their shipments to the US because of a decline in production caused by the hailstorms in the state in recent days.
According to the chairman of the State Board of Agriculture (Ceagro), Francisco Alvarez Lazo, for the past two weeks these companies from Puebla have been having problems to complete their shipments, so they must rely on producers from other states in order to stock up.
The hailstorms took place in regions that are not used to them, such as the Mixtec, in the southern part of the state, thus affecting the production of vegetables and fruits.
This situation, he said, causes losses on both sides. In the case of exporters, their customers abroad do not accept crops with minimal affectations, while producers can't sell their products so they need to place them in other markets or at a lower price.
"The international market is very demanding. It does not allow you to sell them any perforated lettuce and that affects the packing companies," he stated.
Alvarez Lazo said that the affected farmers, mainly in vegetables, were accessing the compensation granted by the State and Federal Governments.
He also said he hoped there were no more hailstorms in the rainy season, as they are the ones that hurt the crops the most in their maturing stage.
The Secretariat of Agriculture (SAGARPA) said more than 2,000 hectares of crops had been lost due to heavy rains in 17 municipalities, which are located in the North, Black, Northeast and mountains and in Mixteca.
900 farmers were affected by the weather phenomenon and they are currently waiting for the Sagarpa to evaluate damages so they can be compensated. This process takes 90 days.
Some of the affected municipalities are San Martin Texmelucan, San Juan Tetla, Chiautzingo, Tlachichuca, Ocoyucan, Tetela de Ocampo, Los Reyes de Juárez, Soltepec, Palmar de Bravo and some municipalities of the Mixteca Poblana.
According to quantifications, the crops with the biggest losses were: corn, beans, alfalfa, apple, peach, pear and plum.
Source: Eleconomisya.com.mx