As a result of the pests, diseases, and climate change that have affected blackberry crops in the region of Los Reyes, it seems that this year's production volume will be one of the lowest ever recorded. According to Gustavo Calleros Coloni, non-governmental representative of the Blackberry Product System (SPZ) of the District Rural Development (DDR) 088, the area would only produce 12 to 13 million boxes of blackberry this season, even though expectations were the production volume for the 2015-2016 cycle would amount to 20 million half-pint boxes (2,400 kilograms).
Meanwhile, blackberry prices have remained relatively attractive. On average, a half-pint box costs between 120-130 pesos, which is the minimum profitable price. "Anything below that amount and producers risk bankruptcy," said Calleros Coloni.
Blackberry production in the region has been unable to recover since Hurricane Patricia. The non-governmental representative added that, after Hurricane Patricia (November last year), strawberry production had been affected by hail, frost, low luminosity, and thermal shock, as temperatures during the day go above 32 degrees Celsius and fall to 10 degrees Celsius at dawn.
All this has lead to a shortage of fruit. At this stage, in previous harvests, the region was producing 300,000 boxes per day. In contrast, the area currently produces 80,000 to 90,000 half-pint boxes per day.
Source: lavozdemichoacan.com.mx