Overview
- Growers report losing roughly 30% to 50% of their cempasúchil harvests this season, with officials also tallying more than 37,000 acres of crops damaged by prolonged heavy rains and floods.
- Producers in Mexico City sold about 5.96 million marigold plants, generating an estimated 101.7 million pesos and distributing the flower to 20 states.
- City officials credited programs such as Altépetl Bienestar, along with more than 15 million pesos in public investment through Sembrando Vida and Bienestar para el Campo, for boosting output and market access.
- Scientists at the Toxinachcal seed bank are conserving thousands of native seeds, including about 20 cempasúchil variants, to provide more resilient stock after weather shocks and vulnerability linked to hybrid seed use.
- Merchants reported roughly a 7% rise in seasonal sales and flagged competition from unauthorized vendors, while about 10% of local production is moving into culinary and processed products.