The President of the Regional Agricultural Union of Fruit Growers in the State of Chihuahua (Unifrut), Ricardo Noe Marquez, said he expected Chihuahua's apple would be better positioned in the market this year, after the complicated situation they faced last year due to the American dumping of apples.
The problem arose from a growth in apple imports, as they grew by 95% in a decade and surpassed an estimated 300,000 tons by the end of 2014, saturating the market with foreign fruit of a lower quality and prices below production costs.
This negatively impacted domestic production, specifically in Chihuahua. According to Marquez, even though the conditions are set for them to have a good harvest, thanks to the work of the local producers, the effect of apple imports on the market's situation at the time of harvest doesn't allow the marketing of the Mexican product and generates a fall in the price.
It is worth noting that Chihuahua is the largest producer of apples in Mexico. Last year it produced 400,000 tons of apples.
Source: entrelineas.com.mx