Mexico's agriculture industry could lose $US3.7B from cold snap - FreshFruitPortal.com

Mexico's agriculture industry could lose $US3.7B from cold snap

Featured Top Stories Most Read Today's Headline Top Stories
Mexico's agriculture industry could lose $US3.7B from cold snap

Mexico's National Rural Confederation (CNC) has said the recent cold snap that gripped the country's agricultural sector was the worst in its history, with an estimated cost of US$3.7 billion (45 billion pesos), website Eluniversal.com.mx reported.

CNC president Gerardo Sánchez García said one million hectares were damaged across the states of Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Sonora, Durango, Veracruz y San Luis Potosí, affecting corn, wheat, sorghum, potato, tomato, vegetable, citrus, chilli, broccoli and chickpea crops, El Universo reported.

He told the newspaper that farmers needed a clear and rapid policy response from the government as a 'plan B' to rescue the northern agricultural region, with a reallocation of budget funding.

Sánchez García highlighted statements from Mexico's president Felipe Calderón promising 'all the money that is needed' for Sinaloa, asking for an extension of this help to other states that were affected by the low temperatures, the story reported.

El Universo reported that social sector farmers were having to take matters into their own hands if sufficient help wasn't given.

The estimated figures come amid heated political debate concerning a free trade agreement (FTA) with Peru, Colombia and Brazil and the effects it could have on farmers.

Related stores: Mexican opposition party to vote against FTA

Mexico’s agriculture industry opposes free trade deal

U.S. importers’ association assures ‘steady’ Mexican fresh produce supply

Photo: www.rds.org.mx

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com

Subscribe to our newsletter