Mexico: 60% drop in citrus production

After the effects on the citrus orchards last year due to frosts, the present agricultural cycle is reduced in production by 60%, adding to the problem of prices that didn't recover.

The president for the Citrus Association in Yaqui Valley, Hector Navarro Roqueñi, said that projections regarding the production drop were fulfilled. The stage in which the frosts struck the plantations was flowering time, an essential phase for the fruit's formation.

He mentioned that, for now, they're cutting citrus varieties like "miñola" mandarine and grapefruit, and by the end of February they will start bringing in the Valencia orange. It will be then that they expect the market to recover. He highlighted that the cuts now are for March and national prices start to stabilise.

On the other hand, he pointed out, that they have until the 15th of February to make a general application, within every building belonging to citrus production and it corresponds to more than 2,000 hectares.

Navarro Roqueñi explained that they expect to apply it in 100% of the area as, last year, they only managed to cover 83% of the area, not including orchards that didn't adhere to the association.

Source: Tribuna