Mexico: 70% drop in citrus production

"70% of the lime cultivation and 50% of oranges were lost, due to frosts registered in the last part of 2011 and later due to rain that caused the majority of fruits to fall from trees before they were ripe".

Federico Valencia, ejidatario (holder of shares in common lands) at San Buenaventura, commented and pointed out that during this year, the yellow dragon plague also showed up, making them fear for the coming season. Everywhere these fruits were cultivated, they ended up in bad shape due to citrus trees being burned.

In the first months of 2012, losses could reach 70% of all municipalities, so they are asking for Government and Federation help, to face this coming crisis in the sector, since supports promised by the Government after the Jova contingency never arrived.

It's estimated that more than 2,000 hectares have been destroyed, causing the price per kilo of citrus to reach 20 Pesos, although, it could keep on rising if the plague that is drying trees is not controlled.

Moreover, he commented that a darn of 30 kilos costs between 90 and 101 Pesos, but the coyotes intervention is making it more expensive.

He said that the emergency plan is about harvesting other cultivations - corn and cucumber - in affected areas such as San Buenaventura, Venustiano Carranza, Santa Rita and Nuevo Cuyutlán.

Source: Ecosdelacosta