Mexico crops hit by extreme cold conditions

 Extreme cold conditions hit Mexico’s crops as major crops such as corn, sorghum and vegetables are the most hit. 

According to country’s agriculture ministry, freezes at the beginning of the month in the north of the country damaged more than one million hectares of crops. 

The extreme freezing temperatures hit a very broad section of major growing regions in Mexico, from Hermosillo in the north all the way south to Los Mochis and even south of Culiacan. The early reports are still coming in but most are showing losses of crops in the range of 80 to 100%. 

In Sinaloa, 143,571 hectares of corn and 15,900 hectares of sorghum were replanted as of Monday. Safflower and other crops were also replaced. In Tamaulipas, 130,000 hectares of sorghum and 10,000 hectares of corn were replanted. Meanwhile Sonora saw 2,200 hectares of vegetables and cotton replanted. 

Even shade house product was hit by the extremely cold temps. It will take 7-10 days to have a clearer picture from growers and field supervisors, but these growing regions haven’t had cold like this in over a half century. 

This time of year, Mexico supplies a significant percent of North America’s row crop vegetables such as green beans, eggplant, cucumbers, squash, peppers, asparagus, and round and roma tomatoes. 

Officials maintain that close to three million tons of lost corn will be recovered through replanting efforts, which have expanded to Tamaulipas and Sonora states after focusing exclusively on Sinaloa.