Yucatan could harvest over 100,000 tons of lime, which would cover the local product supply and other markets within the country stated the head of the Ministry of Rural Development, Carlos Maldonado Carrillo. In an interview, Maldonado Carrillo said that amount was similar to last year's production, but that some areas planted with the citrus in the south of the state still need to be harvested.
"There should be another good harvest in November so we could exceed last year's," he stated. He also said that the rains were a factor that helped maintain the entity's lime production levels in recent years and a competitive price to consumers. "In the local market, lime is sold between 5 and 10 pesos per kilo on average, depending on the region and outlets. In addition the product has a very good demand in other states," he said. At the national level, he added, a ton of lime costs 8,000 pesos, which is a competitive price for producers because the production collapsed in some states due to a lack of rain.
"There were other producing entities that were affected by frost, low temperatures, and pests that damaged citrus, so many are looking to stock local produce," he said. That opens several niche opportunities so the producers from Yucatan can sell their crops at good prices in the last quarter of this year, said the state official.
Maldonado Carrillo said they also expected positive productions for other citrus fruits grown in the state, such as sweet orange, grapefruit and mandarin. "We believe there will be sufficient production of sweet orange, grapefruit, tangerines, and there will also be the possibility of selling a portion of the production of these varieties in other parts of the national market," he said.
Source: Notimex