Papaya volume from Mexico on the increase

Growers in Mexico are reporting an increase in the supply of papayas. Heavy rain earlier in the season damaged trees and caused some issues with quality and volume, however crops have since recovered. Recent warm and sunny weather has prompted an increase in production. 

"The weather has been great lately," said Jesus Gonzalez of Papayas & More. "A few months ago, there was a lot of rain which caused the leaves on many of the trees to fall off. Some rain is beneficial, but too much is not good. The weather has been better recently which has improved growing conditions, quality, and increased papaya production. In the next two weeks, we expect to start seeing a lot of fruit coming in."

Prices for papayas have been elevated due to the supply issues in recent months. However, suppliers have observed that prices are gradually coming down as volume increases. Not only has there been an increase in fruit from Mexico, but also from Guatemala.

"With the increase in production, we are starting to see more fruit on the market," Gonzalez noted. "The market has been high but we have seen prices come down in the last two weeks from $25 to $20. There is even some fruit going as low as $17 now. There is a lot of volume coming in from many different regions in Mexico, as well as fruit arriving into Florida from Guatemala."

Papayas & More grow papayas in only a limited region in Mexico. However, their growing practices ensure that they have supply year round. They do this by staggering their crops in order for them to be at different stages of the growth cycle. 

"All of our papaya are grown in Tecomán, Colima," Gonzalez said. "We make sure they are available all year by growing them in different stages. When one group is harvested, another will be ready to start shortly after. We do this for the two varieties we grow, which are the Tainung and Maradol, both of which are available year round." 

For more information:

Jesus Gonzalez

Tel: +1 (956) 928-1050