Sugar Harvest Starts in Quintana Roo Amid Plague Challenges

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The sugar harvest officially began on Monday in southern Quintana Roo, with producers aiming to obtain at least 1.15 million tons of sugar. This represents a 40 percent decrease compared to the previous harvest, following a year in which sugarcane fields suffered severe damage from pests, drastically reducing both the volume and quality of production.

This situation was compounded by the collapse of sugarcane prices, pressured by the illegal entry of foreign sugar, pushing the activity to critical levels.

Working on Strategies to Combat Pests

In 2026, producers are working on strategies to combat pests and improve yield per hectare, with the goal that the current harvest will help reverse losses and restore confidence in one of the most important agricultural activities in southern Quintana Roo.

Sergio Crisanto Morteo, president of the Local Union of Sugarcane Growers, stated that with the burning of the first sugarcane plots, the 2026 harvest began on Sunday, January 4th, with cutting starting on Monday and Tuesday, followed by lifting and hauling on Wednesday and Thursday, so that milling at the San Rafael de Pucte mill can begin on the 10th.

“We have implemented strategies for pest control and improving yield per hectare, with the goal of optimizing production and laying the groundwork for a gradual economic recovery,” he commented.

Confidence in Partially Reversing Losses

He said that sugarcane organizations will be vigilant in the field, supervising cutting, lifting, and transportation activities, as the goal is to achieve a good production point for sugar or KARBE.

“We trust that the ongoing harvest will allow, at least, partially reversing accumulated losses and restoring stability to an activity key to the regional economy,” he said.

Sergio Crisanto commented that harvesting work will be carried out in unity by the organizations to achieve good cutting, freshness, and quality of the raw material.

Confidence in Improving Sector Conditions

The leader expressed confidence that, despite the difficulties, coordinated efforts between producers, technicians, and the mill will allow progress in the harvest and improve conditions in the sector.

An important point is that sugarcane producers called for strengthening vigilance against sugar smuggling and maintaining institutional support for the countryside, considering that sugarcane remains an economic and social pillar for broad rural areas of southern Quintana Roo.