Guava crops in the central Mexico state of Aguas Calientes have been damaged by frosts which hit earlier this month, local media La Jornada reported.

The story said that 80% of guava plantations in the municipality of Calvillo were affected, with damages also reported in San José de Gracia due to the lower temperatures.

The amount of damage is so great that a state of catastrophe may be declared so that the farmers can receive financial assistance from the federal government.

Aguas Calientes Governor Martín Orozco visited the guava growers and other farmers affected by the weather event and announced that he would seek support measures, including a temporary employment program.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) said a total of 3,000 hectares of agricultural land had been impacted in the state.

Temperatures in central Mexico over recent weeks have been unusually low, causing widespread damage to a variety of horticultural crops.

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