With large parts of northeastern, eastern and central Mexico still beset by cold weather conditions, authorities will begin estimating the cost in the state of Puebla to the east of Mexico City.

Website Contraparte.mx reports a Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) delegation in the state is set to start surveying fields to calculate frost damages.

The story reports Puebla has 284 million MXN (US$15 million) set aside in agricultural insurance to help growers hit by rains, drought and frost, depending on the time of year.

SAGARPA Puebla delegate Hilario Valenzuela emphasized there hadn't been any serious effects registered in fields despite the low temperatures seen in the state, the story reported.

Valenzuela explained the spots on alerts included communities near volcanoes and in the Libres-Oriental zone, which every year are more seriously impacted by frosts. These higher-risk areas include Aquixtla, Chignahuapan, Zaragoza, Cañada Morelos and Zacatlán.

Website Elsoldepuebla.com reports 50% of Puebla's vegetable production is exported to the United States, with key crops including corn, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, cabbage and cilantro. Not included in this estimate are tomatoes, which are the state's second-largest agri-food export behind coffee.

Photo: Contraparte.mx

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