"It has been a semi-difficult Mexican vegetable season," says Pedro Balderrama with SunFed Perfect Produce®. The different growing regions in the country are witnessing a shortage of products due to weather conditions. In wintertime, crops grow in both Guaymas and Sinaloa and about 15 days ago, production in Hermosillo started up. "We're now moving up north and will start to see relief on some items," commented Balderrama.
Supply situation cucumbers improving
On cucumbers specifically, production out of Guaymas has been challenging this season. Cold and cloudy days with on-and-off rains had an impact on production volume. "We didn't get the yields we were expecting," Balderrama said. As a result, prices skyrocketed through the end of February, up to $40/case. "This is unheard of as cucumbers normally are in the $16-$18 range that time of year." Since the February peak, cucumber volume has improved, and a new harvest from Sinaloa has just come on. As a result, pricing has come down and is in the low $20s/case right now. Production will continue to improve, with promotable volume available in the first and second week of April, continuing through the remainder of the month.
No promotable eggplant volume
For eggplant, the situation is a bit different as no promotional volume is expected to be available through the month of April. "I expect the current situation of low volume will continue for a while," Balderrama commented. It has resulted in a very decent market with prices in the low $20s, which is quite unusual. "Normally, pricing gets closer to $13/$14." The eggplant season tends to finish at the end of May or early June, weather and market permitting. However, this season may see an earlier finish, depending on the water situation.
Limited water use in Sinaloa
Water is of big concern in the Sinaloa growing region. "Sinaloa is in a drought, and starting mid-April, the use of water will be limited across the entire region," Balderrama shared. The extent of the reduction is unknown at this point, but given that the region doesn't finish up with vegetable harvest until mid-May, it will create a problem. "The quality of the crops is expected to suffer, and the markets may spike up around mid to late April. While the government has previously limited water use in Sinaloa, this year, the situation is more concerning than ever before," said Balderrama.
The exception in terms of crop availability seems to be squash. The markets were very elevated from December through the first part of March but have since come down. Promotable volume is expected through most of April, but the season in Hermosillo (Sonora) will continue until mid-June before production moves to Baja, California.
For more information:
Pedro Balderrama
SunFed
Tel.: (520) 761-6816
pbalderrama@sunfed.net
www.sunfed.net