Abstract

ESPINOSA-GARCIA, José Antonio et al. Productivity and profit potential of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in the Mexican tropics. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.5, pp.1051-1063. ISSN 2007-0934.

In order to identify the productive potential of cocoa at hydrologic response unit (HRU), basin and state level, considering performance and benefit-cost ratio (RB / C), this work was carried out in the major producing states from the Humid Tropics of Mexico. For it was simulated and mapped, yield potential of total aboveground biomass and cocoa beans in 9 states of south-southeast Mexico and identified the areas with higher crop potential. Also, establishment costs, production costs and revenues ofthe technology package were estimated and evaluated the financial profitability ofthe crop for each region. The results show that cocoa is profitable when more than 770 kg ofgrain per ha are produced. 223 000 ha with potential to produce cocoa were identified in Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca and Chiapas, being Veracruz the region with highest yield (1.12 t ha^-1) and a RB/C of1.42. It is concluded that the average yields ofcocoa and estimated profitability indicators allow locating regions with potential to increase acreage, production and the current competitiveness of this crop.

Keywords : Theobroma cocoa L.; economic potential; humid tropics; productive potential.

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