Lemon production halt in Michoacán impacts US market

Overview of lemons from Mexico in the U.S. market, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published on August 14, 2024.

In Michoacán, Mexico, lemon producers have indefinitely suspended their operations, a move that is expected to affect fruit prices in the United States. The suspension arises from a mix of low citrus prices and heightened extortion demands from at least three drug cartels. Guadalupe Mora Chávez, related to the late founder of the region’s self-defence groups, Hipólito Mora, highlighted the ongoing threats and extortion faced by the citrus sector since August 2023.

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.
(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)

Producers in the Apatzingán, Buenavista, and Parácuaro areas of the Tierra Caliente region have ceased activities, citing price disparities as a key issue. An anonymous producer mentioned that the “criminal tax” imposed by cartels on lemon per kilogram has increased by 2 to 3 pesos, a cost shared between producers and packing house owners. Carlos Torres Piña, Michoacán’s Secretary of Government, reported that joint operations with the Civil Guard, National Guard, and Mexican Army are underway to address the situation and resume citrus production.

The News in Charts is a collection of stories from the industry complemented by charts from Agronometrics to help better tell their story.

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