Mexican citrus growers in the Yucatán Peninsula are concerned the region’s crop, particularly oranges, may reduce considerably this season following a prolonged drought, according to a report by the Diario de Yucatán.
In 2008, Mexico produced around 80,000 tonnes of citrus, but the drought, which is said to be similar to one which hit the country 50 years ago, has reportedly sparked fears of a production crisis among some suppliers, with current estimates pointing towards a massive 50 per cent shortfall.
The outbreak of swine flu in the country has also affect demand for Mexican citrus this season, Diario de Yucatán said.
Although some growers have been irrigating orange groves with 10 hours of water every three days, the efforts have been insufficient for plants in many plots of land. Irrigation is also costly in the region, reaching up to US$20-50 per hour.
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