Lemon, one of the favorite fruits of Mexicans and eternal companion of tacos, was the generic that had the most impact on inflation in the first month of the year, due to the pronounced increase it presented, according to data from the Institute National Statistics and Geography (Inegi).
In January, the lemon became more expensive 68.77% compared to December 2021, while in its annual measurement, the increase was 182.70 percent. In this way, this fruit became the generic with the highest monthly incidence in inflation at the beginning of this 2022.
As of December 31, 2021, according to the National System of Information and Integration of Markets, of the Ministry of Economy, a kilo of lemon with seed #5 -the most used in the country- was sold between 14 and 60 pesos, depending on the entity, while, at the end of last January, the same kilo ranged between 20 and 75 pesos; however, in some localities it was reported that prices of up to 80 pesos were reached.
As of February 9, the kilo of lemon was sold between 33.33 and 75 pesos.
Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) indicated that although increases in the price of lemons are common in these first months of the year, in recent weeks a “disproportionate increase” was detected.
“Given the important differences in the price in the field to the producer versus the one that reaches the consumer, (we) work in coordination with the competent authorities to review the intermediation margins in the commercialization of citrus,” the agency detailed in a statement in January. .
The increase in the price of lemon, he explained, is due to seasonal factors, increased demand, as well as increased production and agrologistics costs for producers, who have also suffered effects due to weather contingencies.
“The presence of cold fronts at the beginning of the year caused delays in the harvesting of the fruit, mainly in Veracruz, which, together with the rationalization of the harvesting by the producers, has also had an impact on the price. However, this is not proportional to the consumer price increases that have been seen recently,” he pointed out.