Colder than normal weather in Sonora during periods in October and November could hold back produce availability in December and influence the transition between regions, says Miguel A. Suarez, CEO of MAS Melons & Grapes LLC, Rio Rico, Ariz.
The main products for the company include melons, watermelons, hard squashes and grapes.
“We are also looking to get back to the asparagus business, which we have done in past years,” Suarez said. Handling of citrus varieties is a consideration in the near future, he said.
Suarez said the fall–winter season starts in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, mainly from the growing areas in the Caborca, Hermosillo and Guaymas areas at the beginning of October and ends mid-December. This year, he said that the region was affected by rain and colder weather than normal. “More than likely, during the month of December there will be less product than normal at this time of the year.”
The firm has some availability of organic honeydews and mini watermelons for about a month starting around Nov. 20.
Even with the challenge of weather and high production costs, Suarez said the company has been able to have good volumes and good quality for its commodities.
MAS Melons & Grapes considers its winter season to include the products the firm handles from the Central West Mexican states of Nayarit, Colima and Jalisco.
“This season usually starts the last week in the month of December, and the products are honeydew melons, Orange Candy melons, seedless watermelons and mini watermelons as the main products,” Suarez said.
Depending on market conditions, the company may also handle broccoli and avocados, mainly to Japanese customers.
Changing weather
Compared with a year ago, Suarez said the biggest changes for the company have been caused by adjustments to weather in various growing regions.
“Depending [on] what happens with the weather, seasons can be delayed, moved ahead earlier or just ruined, and that changes greatly what happens to your season and with demand and supply of products,” he said.
In the months ahead, the company will focus on programs with its customers and seek to fulfill them in the best way possible. The company also continues international sales to Japan, New Zealand and some of the Caribbean Islands, he said.
Other than the weather, big challenges for growers include the spike in production costs of all commodities and concerns about the availability of irrigation water in the near future. That will drive the industry to be more efficient, which will be for the benefit of growers, retailers and consumers, he said.
