The agricultural cycle is about to begin in the valley of Escuinapa and producers expect that the prevailing temperature in the region will remain stable and benefit the size of peppers, tomatoes, and tomatillos. They also expect vegetables to achieve good prices in the market.
Rogelio Padilla Salcido, the president of the CNC in Escuinapa, said the sector was affected by the low amount of rains this season. Reservoirs are at 80 percent of their capacity and producers hope there is enough water for the 2016-2017 cycle.
"The current pepper and vegetable crops were affected by the high temperatures we had in the past because the peppers, tomatoes, and tomatillos need cool temperatures, like the ones we have right now, to finish developing. We have 3-inch jalapeño and serrano peppers, and it is difficult to achieve good prices for that size," he said.
Expectations
Padilla Salcido added that, even though the season's peak started in January, producer's were worried as prices were well below the average and they were behind with the credits and loans they needed due to the effects of rains in late 2015.
The valley region of Escuinapa has 11,000 hectares devoted to vegetable crops and so far, only 20 percent has been harvested.
"We hope things improve and that the price of peppers, and of all products produced in the valley, increase because the producers who fared poorly are still behind in their payments and the credits they took in 2015. A fair price would be above 5 pesos; right now it's between 3 and 4 pesos," he said.
Source: debate.com.mx