Mexico could reportedly double its production of Persian limes over the next three years as part of a new project to improve fruit quality and plant productivity in the country’s Yucatán Peninsula.
So far, 6,000ha are being planted with certified citrus seedlings by the Xamantún nursery in Tixmucuy, Campeche, according to a report by local newspaper Diario de Yucatán, with planted area expected to increase to some 15,000ha in three years’ time.
“Campeche has the potential to export citrus and having a producing nursery in the area will help to advance this goal,” José Guadalupe May Chablé, who heads up the Xamantún nursery told the publication.
Already 3,000ha have been planted with Persian lime groves, of which 1,500ha are expected to produce 19,500 tonnes of fruit over the next few months worth some US$41m and benefiting around 1,000 growers.
