Evolution of Mexican citriculture (1993-2018). The case of the municipality of Gutiérrez Zamora, Veracruz

Citriculture is relevant in Mexico because of the cultivated area, income and employment it generates. The objective of this research was to compare the evolution of citriculture in the municipality of Gutiérrez Zamora, Veracruz with the state and national level during the period 1993-2018, in order to identify the main problems faced by small citrus farmers in the local context. For the analysis, average annual growth rates were used retaking data from the Sistema de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera. The results show that oranges and lemons are the most important citrus fruits at the national, state and municipal levels; they have maintained a growth trend based on the expansion of the surface area rather than on the increase in yield. It is concluded that, in Gutiérrez Zamora, the development of citriculture faces as priority problems the smallholder nature of production, low productivity and low prices, which translates into low economic viability to achieve family sustainability. However, it is still a productive alternative of interest due to the stability of real prices and low risk. The productive and socioeconomic differences among citrus growers call for measures focused on the territorial contexts in which it is intended to have an impact.