Mexican citrus farmers struggle to maintain productivity to comply the US market

Persistent drought and heat are having an increasingly negative effect on Mexican citrus growers. According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average productivity of orange production per hectare is expected to drop 34% in 2020, from 14.36 tons per hectare to 9.51 tons per hectare.

The high temperatures are reaching more intensely, reducing the size and quality of the fruits. Part of the blame is due to declining government support for the sector, which means that many small farmers cannot afford to modernize orchards and the orange complex.

Between 30% and 50% of the Mexican oranges available are destined for the processing industry, being transformed into juice. Most of this juice is exported to the USA.