Climate Challenges Impact Mexican Berry Producers

Mexico's strawberry and raspberry producers are grappling with significant challenges as climate change begins to undermine the viability of their crops. Michoacan’s Zamora Valley faces mounting difficulties due to drought and extreme heat, which induce stress in plants, necessitating adjustments in cultivation methods through the application of amino acids and seaweed to stimulate production.

Compounded by rising labor costs and water scarcity, producers are forced to reduce cultivated raspberry hectares from 14ha to 11ha, with further cuts anticipated by 2025. Moreover, regularization and withdrawal of governmental subsidies have escalated operating costs, with electricity tariffs quadrupling, prompting farmers to reconsider crop sizes to optimize water usage.

The Zamora municipality boasts 2,055ha devoted to strawberry cultivation, yielding 112,854t  per cycle with an average yield of 54.92t/ha, according to the Agricultural and Fisheries Information System (SIAP). Nevertheless, the pressure from climate change and governmental policies could alter this landscape in the coming years.

In Guanajuato, Fresa Fortaleza, a leading strawberry producer and exporter, faces similar challenges amid erratic weather patterns. Aketzalli Mendoza, Commercial Director, Fresa Fortaleza, underscores the impact of changing weather on strawberry production, emphasizing delays, rain-induced processing setbacks, and increased incidences of fruit quality issues like botrytis and powdery mildew.

Mendoza says that some Mexican producers are halting production due to the uncertainties posed by climate change, considering alternatives like greenhouse cultivation.