Crops at Risk as El Niño Rains Could Hit 60% of Piura’s Production

El Niño is threatening agriculture in Peru’s Piura region, where rainfall could severely affect up to 60% of crop production, according to regional Senamhi specialist Ninell Dedios Mimbela.

High temperatures are already disrupting the development of major crops. Some parts of Piura have recorded thermal anomalies of 4 to 5 degrees Celsius, with temperatures reaching 36 C. Dedios said the heat is altering flowering, fruit setting and maturation, placing the greatest burden on small farmers who lack the resources to adopt adaptation technologies.

Mangoes face the greatest risk. Only about 30% of the crop is flowering, even though natural flowering requires temperatures of 17 C to 18 C. If rain arrives in December, as much as 60% of Kent mango fields could be exposed to fungi and disease, damaging fruit quality and its ability to reach markets.

Lemons are also flowering at around 30% because of the heat, a situation that could reduce supply and push up prices. Rice is developing faster under the high temperatures, which could leave it more vulnerable to pests and rain during harvest. Bananas, grapes, blueberries, avocados and cotton are also on the list of crops at risk.

Dedios said the effects could spread beyond farms to food prices, employment, transport and exports, particularly if rainfall damages roads, drainage systems and other communications routes. Senamhi will continue meteorological and crop monitoring through weather stations, field observations, drones and multispectral imagery.