Profitability of Pitahaya as an Alternative Crop in the Southern Region of the State of Mexico

Abstract

This study evaluates the profitability of pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) cultivation as a productive alternative in the southern region of the State of Mexico, specifically from the third year after the orchard has been established. Using a financial analysis approach applied to productive units of approximately 0.25 hectares, which is the average area managed by producers in the region, the study integrated investment costs, fixed and variable costs, income projections, and key economic viability indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Break-even Point, and Benefit-Cost Ratio (B/C). The results demonstrate that the project is financially viable, with a positive NPV, an IRR above the opportunity cost, and a B/C ratio of 2.175. In addition, the break-even point is reached with the sale of 1.17 tons, which is an achievable goal for small-scale producers with proper management. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the project can remain financially viable even with a 27 percent decrease in sales revenue or a 38 percent increase in operating costs, without compromising its profitability. In conclusion, pitahaya cultivation, under appropriate technical management and marketing conditions, represents a profitable, resilient, and sustainable alternative for diversifying regional agricultural production, with the potential to generate stable income in the medium and long term.