Querétaro is a national benchmark in the concentration of high-tech greenhouses, highlighted Oscar Woltman, consultant and member of the Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC).
The specialist explained that Querétaro accounts for approximately 12% of the country’s high-tech greenhouse production.
There are between 11,000 and 12,000 hectares of greenhouses in the country; of these, the association lists almost 2,000 hectares as high-tech, of which approximately 250 are in Querétaro, he explained during the launch of the fifth edition of GreenTech Americas, which will be held in the state.
High-tech greenhouses are characterized by heated structures, the use of CO2 systems, and water recycling methods.
“Querétaro is the state with the most high-tech greenhouses, in terms of concentration. Obviously, there are many in other areas, but Querétaro does have a cluster of high-tech greenhouses. (…) Querétaro accounts for, if not 8, 10, or 12% of the high-tech greenhouse production,” he estimated.
The state, located in the Bajío region, has climatic conditions that favor the development of protected agriculture systems.
A high-tech greenhouse can produce up to 70 kilos of tomatoes per square meter, while in open fields, the average production ranges between 8 and 10 kilos. When producing bell peppers, greenhouses can produce up to 30 kilos per square meter, while in open fields, it’s between 2 and 4 kilos, explained the director of Phoenix Consultoría.
“So the difference is huge. (…) We use a lot of water, but all the water goes to the product, while in open fields it doesn’t. So we do have many sustainable benefits, and Querétaro is very important,” he explained.
The consultant explained that Mexican protected agriculture faces three main contexts: international, national, and the domestic activity of producers.
Tariffs, a threat to the sector
On the international scene, the US government’s tariff policies pose a serious threat to the stability of this industry, given that most of it is exported.
“US policy is now a serious threat to the stability of protected agriculture, but basically to the entire Mexican economy. The exchange rate is an effect we can’t control; it also has a significant impact,” he explained.
The 25% tariffs are a strain on the sector; the specialist rejected the idea that the tax should be absorbed by the producer and considered that farmers should talk to their marketing companies.
“When the tariffs were imposed two weeks ago, the industry went into complete panic. (…) The Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture is also working on the tariff issue. A 25% tariff cannot be fully charged to the producer, because the margin is not 25%; in some years it may be a little more, but generally it is less,” she explained.
Up to 90% of Mexico’s protected agriculture production is exported, mainly to the United States and Canada, with a smaller proportion going to Japan or other markets.
Meeting Prepared
In a global context marked by climatic, social, and economic challenges, protected agriculture is consolidating as a way to achieve more efficient production, increase profitability, and export to new markets, added Alejandra Escalante, director of GreenTech Americas.
The 2025 edition of the event will feature 12,700 square meters of exhibition space, in addition to a display of solutions to optimize production. They expect 6,000 national and international attendees from March 25-27 at the Querétaro Convention Center. They will also feature 230 exhibitors from various countries.
The Undersecretary of Economic Development at the Secretariat of Sustainable Development (Sedesu), Genaro Montes Díaz, emphasized that the state has demonstrated the possibility of innovating and moving toward more efficient agricultural production models. He added that protected agriculture allows for up to 80% less water consumption compared to traditional methods.
“This is not only a competitive advantage for our producers, but also a strategy to guarantee a food security strategy in a context of water stress,” he explained.
Source: eleconomista
