Fusarium Fungus Threatens Sugarcane Production in Chetumal

Sugarcane crops in Chetumal are under threat due to a widespread outbreak of the Fusarium fungus. The infestation is putting the annual yield estimate of 1,450,000 tons at risk. Despite efforts by sugarcane farmers to control the outbreak, the relentless spread of the fungus has raised alarm among the farming community.

Evaristo Gómez Díaz, the head of the Local Union of Sugarcane Producers, warns that many farmers may face a lack of cane for the 2024-2025 harvest season due to the severity of the fungal infestation. The combination of a shortage of workers and the presence of the fungus poses a dual threat to sugarcane producers.

One of the affected farmers, Juan Herlinda Ac Iste, had initially expected to harvest 80 tons of cane per hectare from his land. However, the fungal invasion has slashed this estimate to a mere 20 tons per hectare, equating to a 75% loss. Other farmers have similarly reported significant declines in their harvests as a result of the Fusarium fungus.

Benjamín Gutiérrez Reyes, the sugarcane representative of the Association of Sugarcane Producers of the CNPR, highlighted that numerous plots have been severely impacted by the fungus. This has led to a drastic reduction in the anticipated production. In the first 26 days of the harvest season, only around 90,000 tons were harvested, falling short of the 225,000 tons planned for this period. The quality of the sucrose in the cane has also suffered, with a 75% decrease in the estimated tonnage due to the infestation.

This situation is a significant setback for sugarcane producers in Chetumal, who are grappling with substantial losses and production challenges.