Mexico: Potato prices fall after several months of high costs

After months in which the price of potatoes exceeded 60 pesos per kilogram, merchants at the Central de Abastos in Mérida have reported a notable decrease in costs, which currently range between 29 and 30 pesos wholesale and around 35 pesos retail. 

Producers and traders explain that the price increase, which began in April, was mainly due to adverse weather conditions in the Pacific growing regions, which severely impacted production. Frost and hailstorms in the central part of the country also complicated the situation, causing harvest delays and prolonged shortages in the markets.

The high cost of potatoes directly impacted families’ purchasing power and caused a drop in sales for retailers. Many consumers opted to substitute potatoes with other alternatives in their daily meals, further affecting this sector.

With the recovery of damaged hectares and the coinciding with the usual harvest, prices are expected to continue falling. A reduction of 2 to 3 pesos is anticipated in the coming weeks, reaching 27 pesos per kilo, which could stabilize sales just in time for the return to school.

Measures to revive production not only benefit traders, but will also bring relief to consumers by improving the availability and access to this staple food.