Dean damage extends..

Initial reports from the agricultural authorities in Mexico and Belize suggest that Hurricane Dean has affected banana, citrus and papaya production. According to the authorities, the hurricane’s force in the state of Veracruz destroyed some 5,000ha of banana production – roughly half the total crop in the area – and citrus losses are running at five to 35 per cent depending on variety. Some 40,000 tonnes of limes are feared lost, 60,000t of grapefruit and 70,000t of oranges mainly in the north of the state, which produces for the European and Asian markets. Some 10,000ha of citrus production in the north of Veracruz has been affected in total. Fidel Herrera, state governor, told the Mexican press that fruit quality had been good. The grapefruit season was just beginning in Mexico when the hurricane struck and export availability traditionally runs until November. The lime season runs year round. Now the authorities are mobilising financial aid and manpower by way of a temporary work programme to right trees and clear roads.Meanwhile, other drier areas of the North American country have benefited from the rains brought by the hurricane. And in Belize, some 95 per cent of the papaya crop, some of it destined for export to the UK and European markets, has been lost. The north of the country was struck by the hurricane last week and 1,500 acres of papaya has been wiped out. The Belize agriculture authorities estimate the value of the crop at more than $22 million. The industry had been expecting record production this year because of expansion in the sector and the losses are a bitter blow.