Background on the Situation
In Puebla, Mexico, agroindustries affiliated with Canacintra are operating normally but sourcing raw materials from other states due to significant crop losses in the Sierra Norte region caused by heavy rains from storm Jenrry. Héctor Sánchez Morales, president of the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (CCE), detailed these developments.
Initial Response and Current Status
Following the severe impact on 33 municipios in Puebla, authorities first focused on aiding affected families and distributing relief supplies. Now, the focus has shifted to assessing agricultural production losses.
Sánchez Morales explained that although agroindustries are currently operating normally, they’re importing essential materials like citrus fruits from other states to maintain production.
Costs and Recovery
He acknowledged that production costs are rising due to these supply chain disruptions. However, agroindustries must continue operating as long as there’s a recovery in the affected crop-growing areas.
Sánchez Morales mentioned that the CCE will collaborate with other chambers to evaluate the extent of material losses and gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation for business leaders.
Extent of Crop Losses
In the Sierra Norte region, where the most significant damage occurred due to flooding and landslides, local producers lost all their crops. Some were intended for the Día de Muertos celebration.
He emphasized that both local suppliers and agroindustries need to assess the situation, especially those operating under contract agriculture.
Labor and Future Plans
Sánchez Morales noted that there hasn’t been labor absenteeism in affected areas, unlike the total crop loss experienced in the fields.
He advocated for reactivating a support plan for affected producers, though it may not be sufficient given the crop loss due to rainfall.
He expressed hope for a clearer picture of the damage to agroindustries and other sectors dependent on crops for their operations by the following week.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current status of agroindustries in Puebla? Agroindustries are operating normally but sourcing raw materials from other states due to crop losses in the Sierra Norte region.
- How are production costs affected? Production costs are rising due to supply chain disruptions and increased importation of raw materials.
- What is the extent of crop losses in the Sierra Norte region? Producers in this region lost all their crops, including those intended for the Día de Muertos celebration.
- Is there labor absenteeism in affected areas? No, there hasn’t been any labor absenteeism in the affected regions.
- What plans are in place to support affected producers? There is a need for a comprehensive support plan for affected producers, though it may not fully address the crop loss due to rainfall.
