Perspective of $1,068 million for Mexican agriculture due to the arrival of cempasuchil

Javier Salinas Cesareo

Correspondent

La Jornada Newspaper
Monday, October 14, 2024, p. 17

Texcoco, Méx., The season for selling marigolds and seasonal flowers for the Day of the Dead, the second most anticipated by flower growers, has begun and an economic impact of more than 1,68 million pesos is expected.

The Mexican Rural Secretariat pointed out that the production of cempasúchil in bunches and pots is concentrated by small and medium producers in the 10 municipalities with the highest production: Texcoco, Atlacomulco, Ozumba, Tenango del Valle, Chicoloapan, Tenancingo, Tepetlixpa, Villa Guerrero, Chimalhuacán and Malinalco, which contribute to the availability of this emblematic plant, which covers 75 percent of state demand.

The houses, pantheons, markets and streets are filled with flowers, predominating the intense color of the marigold and its characteristic smell, complemented by touches of cloud, wallflower and purple velvet.

According to tradition, the smell of 20 petal flower (cempohualxochitl) is the first thing the dead notice when they wake up and return to this world on November 1st and 2nd; Its intense color also shows the way, which is why it is planted no later than July so that it is on time and guides souls.

purple velvet

In addition to cempasúchil, another important crop for Mexican floriculture this season is purple velvet, produced mainly in Tonatico, Villa Guerrero, Malinalco and Ocuilan, with a production value that in 2023 exceeded 14 million pesos, according to data from the Agri-food and Fisheries Information.

The municipalities of Tenango del Valle, Tenancingo, Ozumba, Joquicingo, Tepetlixpa, Rayón and San Antonio la Isla are the main producers of cloud and wallflower, flowers that accompany the arrangements at this and other times of the year. Annual production generates approximately 17 million pesos.

The authorities stated that, although the volume of marigold production in the state of Mexico is lower than that of roses and chrysanthemums for Mother’s Day, this flower is mainly used by small producers who sell the bunch of flower directly to 60 and 70 pesos, and the pot at prices that range between 15 and 18 pesos.

He highlighted that the demand for marigolds skyrockets starting in the third week of October, which causes an increase in prices. Beyond ritual use, marigolds (Tagetes erecta and Tagetes patula) have industrial applications in the manufacture of natural pigments.

A promising alternative for Mexican producers is to explore the transformation of this flower to give it added value, which could open new opportunities in the cosmetics, food and textile industries.