Last night we showed you a brief clip of the problems potato farmers are having in Orange Walk South. basically, they are ready to harvest their red potatoes, but they are in peril of losing all they invested because Mexican potatoes are still on the market. Now whether this is so through permits or contraband, is almost impossible to determine - but the fact is these farmers face serious potato problems - right at the peak of their harvest. Here's more from the area of San Carlos village:...
Jules Vasquez reporting
Like a buried treasure, these potatoes are gems to the farmers who have lovingly cultivated these starchy tubers.
They've invested plentifully and toiled in the fields for them to reach this robust fullness
Danny Hernandez, Potato Farmer
"I spent a lot of money to put fertilizers make the potatoes get bigger. I have to do that. If I sell good potatoes, I get good money."
But to get that from this pickup back to your market's shelves - he needs a ready market - free of Mexican potatoes
Danny Hernandez, Potato Farmer
"Last year the potato was not ready and they ask for a lot of potatoes. I was very happy because I was selling. But right now this year there is no sale like that."
Israel Hernandez, Potato Farmer
"Yesterday a Chinese man wanted to buy potatoes, the man ask what kind of potatoes are these. I tell him its local. He said he doesn't want those, he wanted Mexican ones. These potatoes are better that Mexican ones."
So, these red potatoes have to compete against Mexican white in a ruthless marketplace, where regulation is constantly undermined by the need for a regular supply, the contraband market.
Every year, the Ministry of Agriculture has to balance between permits for importation which have to be timed to end just as the local supply is coming in.
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