Ups and downs of asparagus production in Caborca, Mexico.

The region of Caborca in Sonora, Mexico is one of the most important sources of asparagus. Caborca weather is particularly favorable for producing asparagus – hot days, cooler nights, and plenty of sunshine throughout the growing season provide optimal conditions for asparagus growth. These ideal conditions have enabled Caborca’s farmers to establish large-scale asparagus production and supply asparagus demand not only nationally but also internationally.

Based on the most recent available annual data to-date, in 2021, Sonora, the Mexican state in which Caborca belongs, was by far the main producing state in the country with 194,223 tons. This volume is 61.8% of the annual domestic production, which has allowed Mexico to rank third in terms of production of this crop.

However, for 2022, the situation was a little different for asparagus growers in Caborca.

Caborca Asparagus Yield Declined in 2022

Asparagus production in this region usually presents its most important peak during February, representing around 20% of annual production.

However, this was not the case last year. Asparagus yield in the region significantly declined due to certain adverse weather conditions.

The main problems were the low temperatures that persisted throughout January and the strong winds at the beginning of February, as well as a 3-day frost at the beginning of the year, according to the Caborca Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association (PROFYH by its Spanish acronym).

Consequently, this drop in asparagus yield considerably affected export volumes to the United States, since for the week of Feb. 6, 2022, the USDA reported an import volume of 5,760 tons, 20% less than the 7,121 tons for the same week in 2021.

Additionally, according to the USDA, there was an increase in terminal market prices since on Feb. 19, 2022, the average asparagus price was 38.2 dollars per box, in contrast to the 21.11 dollars per box of the previous year, due precisely to this drop in supply.

Expectations on Asparagus Production in 2023

Last year was an atypical one for growing asparagus in the Caborca region. This 2023, the municipality is expected to resume its normal production volumes. This is because this year, Caborca weather is optimal for growing asparagus, which has already begun.

On top of its expected recovery in asparagus volumes this year, it is also expected to increase during March, a month that, according to PROFYH, will define the trend for the rest of the year.

ProducePay’s Role in the Agricultural Sector

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Contact us to learn more about how ProducePay can help you improve your fresh produce business.

Source:

The Packer
Mexico’s Caborca asparagus region deals with weather woes, limiting supply