High temperatures in 2023 brought forward flowering and affected fruiting, reducing both the quantity and quality of Hass avocados.

Hass avocado production in the Olmos Valley, located in the Lambayeque region, will experience a significant decrease of 40% this year. This situation, which also affects other coastal valleys, is due to the high temperatures recorded during 2023, which generated considerable stress in the plants. The heat stress accelerated flowering and impaired fruit set, negatively impacting the harvest.

Engineer Yuri Armas Peña, president of the Pro Olmos Association, explained that these climate changes have resulted in smaller fruit, with a reduction in dry matter content and the appearance of black spots. These problems not only decrease the quantity of avocados produced but also affect the quality of the product, complicating its marketing and market acceptance.

This climate challenge underscores the need to adopt adaptive measures in agricultural management to mitigate the effects of climate change. The Lambayeque region, known for its Hass avocado production, must implement innovative and sustainable strategies to protect its crops and ensure the viability of production in the future.

Source: agraria.pe