August Review: Unfavorable Weather Affecting Crops in the Americas

Heavy Rains Are Decreasing Colombian Sugar Exports

The La Niña phenomenon in Colombia is causing heavy rains, affecting Colombian sugar exports due to lower supply. Rain affects the production volume, reducing the available supply for exports and making sugar mills cautious about new deals. Sugar mills are prioritizing signing deals for specialty sugars over commoditized sugar. In July, rains receded, and crops started to recover, but the August forecast is not encouraging since the expected rainfall could double compared to the historical average.

Blueberry Season Delayed Due to Bad Weather Conditions in Mesopotamian Region

Even though the blueberry harvest season successfully started in Argentina, the main production area in the Mesopotamian Region was delayed by two weeks and started slowly in mid-July because of intense showers and frost. At the moment, production is starting to stabilize after the delay.

Harvest Season for Brazilian Kent Mangos Delayed by Heavy Rains

The first half of 2022 was very problematic for mango growers in the São Francisco Valley in northeast Brazil since the excessive rainfall is a challenge for plant protection management on the farms. The problems caused by rain will be reflected at the beginning of the harvest of the Kent variety this year. This variety is the most difficult to manage and adapt to the semi-arid climate. The harvest of Kent mangos usually starts in mid-September, but producers expect it to start in early October this year.

Lower Temperature and Solar Radiation in Brazil Allow Mangoes to Be Harvested without Solar Protection

Due to lower temperatures in the São Francisco Valley, the main mango-producing region in Brazil, producers can harvest fruit without "calling," an inert product that protects the fruit from the sun's rays. The high incidence of solar radiation causes severe burns on the skin of mangoes that need this protection, especially fruit facing the sunset. With lower temperatures and solar radiation indices in the last month, producers can harvest fruit without using this protection. This results in a productivity gain in the packing house because cleaning the fruit becomes easier.

Heavy Rain in Brazil Affects Grape Production

South Brazil is still facing heavy rains and cold fronts, causing a heavy winter throughout the country. Grape-producing regions have also been affected, creating a decay in grape production of every variety and increasing prices in W32.

Coffee Rust Disease Affecting Costa Rican Crops

Many Costa Rican coffee producers are concerned about the effects the "La Niña" phenomenon caused on crops. The country has been facing 4.5 months of heavy rains that have caused floods and enabled the growth of fungus that damages crops. Coffee has been affected by the Coffee Rust Disease, causing damage to the plantations. Producers hope the weather will stabilize so Costa Rican crops can return to normal production levels.

Smaller Almonds This Season in Southern California

Almond harvest in Southern California started before W32 with smaller almonds than in previous seasons. The smaller sizes are attributed to the dry weather in the state. Processors hope to see larger almonds once Northern California suppliers start to harvest.

Cold Weather Affects Apple Production in Washington

According to an apple producer in Washington, the apple production forecast was revised and dropped from 143M 40lb cartons to 132M. The drop in production occurs due to a cold spring that interfered with pollination.

Tropical Storm Approaches Veracruz

Martinez de la Torre, a city in Veracruz, holds the largest production region for Mexican lime. At the start of W34, the area received a cyclone alert due to a tropical storm approaching. Prices are starting to increase since a tropical storm may decrease local supply.