The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) stated that Mexican exports of melon, watermelon, and papaya are among the top five agricultural products marketed by the country.
With a cumulative $283 million dollars by July 2016, Mexican exports of these fruits have increased by 10.7% over the same period last year. "The country is taking advantage of the international demand and generating new business opportunities for producers," stated SAGARPA.
Between 2015 and 2016, exports of these agricultural goods increased by 41 million dollars, they stated. Production in 2016 is expected to exceed the average volume reached between 2004 and 2014.
By July, watermelon production in Mexico had amounted to 753,817 tons; a quantity that was mainly produced in 10 states. According to a projection, the total production in 2016 will amount to 1,276,000 tons, i.e. a 25.4% annual growth over the previous year.
The top ten watermelon producing entities in the country are: Sonora (23% of total), Jalisco, Chihuahua, Veracruz, Nayarit, Guerrero, Chiapas, Campeche, Oaxaca and Coahuila, stated SAGARPA.
Papaya production by July 2016 amounted to 548,000 tons, i.e. more than 50% of the volume estimated for 2016. If papaya production amounts to more than one million tons by the end of the year, it would mean that there was a 15% annual growth.
The main producer of papaya is Oaxaca (which accounts for one third of the total volume), followed by Chiapas, Colima, Veracruz, Michoacan, Guerrero, Campeche, Jalisco, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo.
Melon production amounted to 352,000 tons, and the country is expected to produce 603,000 tons in 2016, i.e. 7.4% more than the 561,000 tons produced in 2015.
Source: marcotradenews.com