Mexico Expects 150,000 Fresh Strawberry Crop

WASHINGTON - Oct 14/05 - SNS -- Favorable weather conditions should allow Mexico grow 150,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh strawberries in 2005-06, up 3% from 2004-05 production, according to a recent report from the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

Area planted in Baja California has increased due to good weather conditions and strong prices. This increase has been offset by decreases in area planted in the states of Michoacan and Guanajuato, due to higher production costs and marketing problems.

According to the industry there has been a general downward trend in strawberry planted area due to low or fluctuating market prices, limited access to credit, and higher costs of production. Area planted in Guanajuato continues to decrease from an average of 1,000 hectares during the past two years. At this point it appears as though 2005-06 will be lower still.

Michoacan has fluctuated between 2,200 to 2,900 hectares - but in previous years strawberry planted area was significantly higher at approximately 3,700 hectares. Further decreases in Michoacan have been offset partially due to better industry organization through the State Strawberry Council, which promulgates strategies to handle harvest, packing, industrialization, and the commercialization of strawberries in both the domestic and international markets. Planted area in the state of Baja California, has been increasing and fluctuates between 900 to 1,200 hectares, depending on weather conditions and international prices.

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