Supply of chayote is starting to pick up as Mexico gets going with its production. “In North America, supply is starting to improve,” says Anthony Serafino of Exp Group, LLC. “A few weeks ago, we were dealing with some shortages from Costa Rica and there are really two countries that principally supply chayote--Mexico and Costa Rica.”
While Costa Rica grows the exotic squash year-round, Mexico has seasonal volumes and can supplement product when Costa Rica is thinner on availability. In this case, in recent weeks, demand has outpaced supply from Costa Rica, a country that also ships two other commodities--yuca and bananas. “Costa Rica doesn’t have the plethora of space that Mexico does. There’s only so much you can do when there are other large items coming from there. They also only really grow chayote in one region of Costa Rica, on the northern side, and there’s not a lot of demand there. That’s also where you see yuca come from,” says Serafino.
Supply not meeting demand
Meanwhile, demand continues to strengthen for the squash--Exp. Group has the capability to move between 8,000-10,000 boxes weekly and supply lagged behind that. “Demographics have really changed and we need to remain cognizant of that demographics shift,” says Serafino.
Some items from Costa Rica, such as yuca and chayote, are also now being shipped frozen and pre-packaged to help meet that growing demand.
So with Mexican production underway (earlier this year, weather in Mexico had affected the growing of chayote and other items), the demand-supply equation will likely be more balanced. “Prices had been elevated in earlier weeks but now that we’re seeing some leveling of supply, that is helpful in pushing the price back down,” Serafino says. “Demand will continue to stay strong.”
For more information:
Anthony Serafino
Exp. Group LLC
Tel: (+1) 201-662-2001
[email protected]
www.expgroup.us
