A Peruvian growers group says the presence of fungi caused by wet weather will lead to lower mango and lemon production next season, website Agraria.pe reported.

San Lorenzo (Piura) Irrigation Users Board president Tito Flores Merino told the website the damages had affected both domestic and export-oriented fruit.

"The problem we have is that due to rains and temperature changes, plants such as mangoes and lemons have mold problems, which will cause a further decrease in production for next year," Flores Merino was quoted as saying.

He said around 14,000ha of mangoes and 8,000ha of lemons were affected.

Flores Merino added the anthracnose fungus was affecting the remaining 5,000 metric tons (MT) of mangoes, with around half the production that is left with spots and inappropriate for human consumption.

The board has predicted that the fungus will lead to a 30% lower crop than that recorded in 2010, noting that the 2011 crop was 50% lower due to climatic issues.

According to the Peruvian Mango Growers and Exporters Association (APEM), the country has around 22,000ha of export mango production, of which 17,000ha are in Piura.

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