According to the USDA’s latest strategic monitoring report on the sector, surface areas expanded by 16 000 ha in one year, to in excess of 200 000 ha now. With such a vast cultivation area, the Mexican harvest should approach the 2-million tonne mark in the medium term, despite the country’s very modest yields (varying with the cultivation systems, though slightly less than 10 t/ha nationwide). “Minifundio” remains by far the most widespread production model: 75 % of the 20 000 country’s producers have surface areas ranging from 0.5 to 5 ha. Furthermore, the irrigation rate remains low overall, barely 30 % in Michoacán. The cultivation area dynamic varies with the States. Growth is picking up speed in Michoacán (+ 13 000 ha), the State more than ever at the centre of the country’s avocado industry, which on its own accounts for three-quarters of national surface areas. Jalisco holds second place with nearly 18 000 ha, but is seeing its strong growth dynamic run out of steam (+ 800 ha); which is a surprise, given this region’s particularly attractive production calendar, complementing Michoacán’s calendar (see FruiTrop 243). The State of Mexico is making great strides forward (+ 1 300 ha), with its avocado area nearing 10 000 ha. The Mexican avocado interprofessional association has announced its intention to step up its reforestation efforts, by planting approximately 300 000 pines in 2017 and 2018 (as opposed to a total of 500 000 between 2010 and 2016).
Sources: Infohass, APEAM, Mexican Min. of Agric.
Click "Continue" to continue shopping or "See your basket" to complete the order.
