Temperature change affects pitahaya production in Tehuacán

Pitahaya production in Tehuacán, (Puebla, Mexico) has suffered a notable drop due to high temperatures and lack of rainfall, resulting in the loss of 50% of the expected harvest. According to a local producer, only half of the flowers managed to turn into fruit this year, delaying the harvest from May to June.

 

Water shortages have severely impacted the crops, increasing losses from 1% to a worrying 50%. The farmer estimates that production could be limited to 20 tonnes this year, compared to 40 tonnes last year. In addition, he reports a decrease in fruit size, especially in the white-fleshed "handatus" variety, while the pink or red variety remains more resistant.

 

Alejandro Duran López Velarde, an expert in Environmental Sciences, points to a change in the local weather pattern, where the rains that used to arrive in May are now absent in 2024, with a late start in June and a decrease in humidity in July.