Analysis of production cost of persian lime in the municipality of Tlapacoyan, Veracruz

Abstract

The Persian lime is the most important crop in limes and lemons in Mexico and in the State of Veracruz. The major producing States are Tabasco, Yucatán, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Puebla. In the State of Veracruz, the main producing municipalities that stand out are Martinez de la Torre, Atzalan, San Rafael, Tlapacoyan, Papantla and Misantla. The objective of the study was to analyze costs and

profitability of the production of the Persian lime in the municipality of Tlapacoyan, Veracruz. Costs and the profitability and competitiveness of the production indicators were calculated. Area sown and the volume of production have come increased in the last decade at the national, state and municipal level. Obtained per hectare of Persian lime production costs are on average at around 18,000 pesos. The higher costs of production are located in the application of granulated fertilizers, cultural work and labor for harvest. The Persian lemon is a labour intensive crop; the expenses under this heading represent more than fifty per cent of the total cost of production. The profitability indicators price-cost and profit rate are above the critical values of profitability. The results show that the cultivation of Persian lime in the municipality of Tlapacoyan, Veracruz, is competitive.