According to data from the Agrifood and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), Mexico produced 3,101,000 tons of lemon in 2022 and, according to estimates, in 2023 its production could grow by 6.1% to 3,290,000 tons.
Last year, the country produced 4,854,000 tons of oranges and this year's production could amount to 5,000,000 tons, experiencing a 3% increase.
In 2022 Mexico produced a total of 489,000 tons of grapefruit and expectations are that, by the end of this year, production will have increased by 2.1% to 499,000 tons.
Citrus fruits were the fourth most sold crops abroad, accounting for 819 million dollars in 2022, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
In the first seven months of 2023, Mexican producers exported the equivalent of 447 million dollars, which significantly contributes to the positive balance of agricultural goods, the Ministry added.
Phytosanitary measures against HLB
Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most devastating citrus disease in the world and has no cure so far. However, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, producers can prolong the life of the affected trees, obtain healthy fruits, and maintain the quality of the citrus fruits that distinguish Mexico by carrying out the appropriate agronomic and phytosanitary management.
The collaboration between the National Health, Safety, and Agri-Food Quality Service (Senasica) and producers to manage the vector insect has helped mitigate the effects of HLB for more than 13 years.
In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture's General Coordination of Agriculture, in conjunction with Senasica, the National Forestry, Agricultural, and Livestock Research Institute (INIFAP), and the College of Postgraduates (Colpos) train producers from 25 entities to share nutrition techniques and recommendations on proper care of sweet and sour citrus trees to help extend their productive life.
The Comprehensive and Strategic Agronomic Plan for the National Citrus Sector was presented in September of this year. In addition to providing training to producers and technicians, the plan instructs non-certified nurseries to strengthen their productive capacity and guarantee the quality and health of the plants for planting.
Among other tasks, the measure includes the delivery of healthy plants to citrus producers and monitoring actions through a network of 38,440 contact traps for the capture of the Asian citrus psyllid.
Source: gob.mx