São Paulo's mango growers are facing difficult times as they are having serious productivity problems because of the weather. Additionally, the low production has also affected prices.

According to Canal Rural, the intense cold weather and last year’s rains affected production, so producers might have losses of up to 50%.

Joseph Arthur, mango producer from Aguaí, within São Paulo, said this year's harvest would be much lower than the last one. The last harvest amounted to 500 tons of mango, while this year's production is not expected to exceed 250 tons.

Nevertheless, the drought affecting much of São Paulo hasn't really damaged the region's mango production, even though they still need the rain to achieve the harvest of the second half of the year. Thus, agronomist Julian Convert warns, unless the weather conditions improve, the next crop might also be affected.

"This drought didn't affect production, because the plants bloomed in August-September, when there was rain and it was cold. So it depends on the weather. We might have another low harvest if it is rainy and cold between August and September. It's a climate issue, concluded Convert.

With 200 hectares of crops, Aguaí is the 13th largest producing area in the state. Producers from this area are facing a low production and high prices.

"The price will definitely be higher. If you look at the supermarket shelves, prices are already higher, but this increase in prices doesn't reach us," said Arthur to Canal Rural.

Meanwhile, Convert sees no way to change the producers' reality, as they are in the harvest season. However, he estimated, it is possible to change prices.

"We must try to increase income and see if we can improve prices from today, March 10. Otherwise, they won't be able to avoid losses. They have to raise the price to make a profit," Convert said.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/