Heavy rains threaten agricultural production in Bolivia and Mexico

Intense rainfall is causing significant agricultural disruptions in both Bolivia and Mexico. In the Fernández Alonso municipality of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Mayor Eleaser Arellano reported that only 160,000 of the planned 300,000 hectares of soy have been planted. The excess water threatens to reduce soy yields from an expected three tons per hectare to as little as one ton, while also compromising sugar cane and rice production.

In Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico, heavy rains are devastating flower crops. Local producers report that excess water is causing flowers to rot and lose their structural integrity, making them unsellable in the market. The moisture causes stems to bend and petals to deteriorate, leading to irreparable economic losses for floriculturists.