Introduction to Yucatán’s Citrus Production and Export
Yucatán, a Mexican state in the southeastern region, has emerged as a significant player in citrus production and export. With favorable conditions for cultivation, including red soils, ample water resources, and strategic connectivity through the Progreso port, Yucatán attracts private investments. Rodrigo Castilla, Vice President of Citrus Patrimonial, highlighted these advantages during a conference.
Unique Geographical and Cultural Factors
The southern region of Yucatán, particularly the Oxkutzcab area, boasts red soils rich in nutrients ideal for citrus cultivation. The unique geological feature, combined with traditional Mayan techniques like grafting with sour oranges, enables the production of high-quality Persian limes with lower vulnerability to pests compared to other regions in Mexico. This results in superior quality citrus suitable for export.
Yucatán’s Citrus Market Performance
According to data from the Servicio de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera (SIAP), Yucatán ranked as the seventh-largest lime producer by the end of 2024, with a market value of 681 million pesos.
- Monthly production: 480 tonnes
- Direct shipments to SiCar Farms, Mexico’s largest citrus sellers with an empacadora (packing facility) in Oxkutzcab
- Exports via Manzanillo to Yokohama, Japan, and through the Progreso port to Houston, USA, for delivery to McAllan
Citrus Patrimonial’s Strategic Approach
Citrus Patrimonial aims to control the entire supply chain, from agricultural processes to commercialization and export. This strategy reduces dependencies, expands production, and opens new international markets.
- Upcoming participation in the Expo Arabic Organic in Dubai, representing Mexico with high-quality limes
- Planned trip to Hong Kong for establishing commercial relationships with China
The company plans to invest 120 million pesos in the medium term, including an 80 million peso packing plant and funds for plantation and hiring. Currently, they employ 180 workers directly in Oxkutzcab, aiming to reach 5,000 productive hectares.
Government Support and Financing
Yucatán’s state and municipal governments support citrus producers, offering a 5% subsidy on irrigation energy costs since December 2022. This initiative, implemented by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), also facilitates permit acquisition, technical training, and access to public programs.
More than 20,000 producers cultivate citrus on over 40,000 hectares across 11 southern Yucatán municipalities. In the past month, the state government announced a strategy encompassing sacascosecha road rehabilitation, technical training, and access to financing.
Key Questions and Answers
- What makes Yucatán suitable for citrus production? The state’s red soils, abundant water resources, and strategic port connectivity create favorable conditions for citrus cultivation.
- What is Citrus Patrimonial’s business model? The company aims to control the entire supply chain, from agricultural processes to export, reducing dependencies and opening new markets.
- How does the government support citrus producers in Yucatán? The state and municipal governments offer subsidies, facilitate permit acquisition, provide technical training, and grant access to public programs.
- What are Citrus Patrimonial’s future plans? The company intends to invest in a packing plant, expand production, and explore new international markets, particularly in the Middle East and Asia.