<p> Prices for tropical fruits such as bananas, watermelons, papayas, and pineapples have soared by 200% compared to last year due to low production caused by bad weather, according to new data from the Sistema Nacional de Información e Integración de Mercados (SNIIM). Increases for these products ranged between 33 to 220% above the prices recorded at the same time in 2013, according to Elgolfo.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “We have lost 24,000 tons during January, February, March, and that is what’s pushing the price along with the greed of the traders. The price of limes should not be sold at more than 37 pesos per kilo,” said Sergio Ramirez, President of the Mexican Lime Product System, noting that limes have recorded a price increase of 205.2% when compared to prices in Mexico City’s Supply Center at the same time in 2013.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> SNIIM suggests that supply will still be limited in the next two weeks as prices continue to increase. It’s currently estimated that prices will remain high due to atypical rains in Nayarit.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Prices for bananas have risen by 59% and plantains by 41.67% due to cold fronts in Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz, and Oaxaca. Manila mango prices have also risen by 56.7%, despite being more scarce this season, while other fruits such as papaya and pineapple saw a price increase of 25%.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue following the tropical fruit season.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
