Waiting for the Rains in Zacatecas Mexico

Only 5 – 10% of the Mexican dry bean crop is grown on irrigated land. Planting in those areas is underway. 90% of total Mexican dry bean production is dry land grown and dependent on rains. While not much information is available as of this newsletter, the most important bean growing states of Zacatecas, Durango, and Chihuahua have not started seeding as these areas are very dry. Chihuahua has begun to receive rains and we estimate that plating there has begun, we will confirm as soon as we have more details. Durango has received some rain but not enough to work the soils. Zacatecas, the principal bean growing state is the driest receiving the least amount of rain up to now and therefore has not started planting dry beans. We are not presenting any conclusions at this time as we still need more data but the three main bean growing states need to receive more rains before August sets in.

These rainfall maps show Zacatecas drier this year than last at this time. (Source: Mexican Institute for Agricultural Research – Inifap)