The drought in the Mexican state of Veracruz, the leading pineapple producer in the country, has caused the loss of 5,000 hectares of fruit and a decrease in sizes, the leader of the producers of Ciudad Isla and Rodriguez Clara, Alfonso Barrera, stated.
According to Barrera, the fruit deficit will be greater in the year 2020 because that is when the consequences of the current drought will be noticed, which is why the sector has requested the support of the Secretariats of Agricultural Development. Despite this situation, neither the state nor the federal government has channeled support for the most affected areas so far.
Of the thirteen pineapple-producing states, Veracruz occupies the first place in the production of this fruit that is consumed nationwide, according to the Agricultural Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP). Producers plant an average of 34,926 hectares of pineapple in the entity and obtain 604,929 tons, corresponding to 82% of the product consumed in Mexico.
The municipalities of Jose Azueta, Isla, and Juan Rodriguez Clara contribute 79.8% of the production, with 482,864 tons and an average yield per hectare of 46.5 tons.
Source: Plumas Libres
Translation: Freshplaza