Rentabilidad financiera y económica de las unidades de producción de jitomate (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) bajo invernadero en Puebla, México.

Abstract

Objective. The objective of this research was to analyze the financial and economic profitability of tomato production units (PJU) under greenhouse technology in the main producing municipalities in Puebla, Mexico.

Methodology. The indicator benefit-cost ratio (B/C) was used to obtain both financial and economic profitability. The data was gathered through structured questionnaire to a statistical sample of tomato growers. Profitability was estimated for three levels of technology use. For economic profitability, the shadow prices of labor, water and electricity were estimated.

Results. The results of the B/C ratio in financial profitability were 1.14 for UPJ with low technological level, 1.30 for medium level and 2.31 for high level, while economic profitability was 1.04 for low-level PJU, 1.18 for those with medium levels and 2.16 for those with a high level. Technology level is highly correlated with profitability.

Limitations. The main one was that a couple of municipalities were discarded due to problems of insecurity.

Conclusions. Greenhpouse production units are profitable, both for investors and for society. Since profitability is correlated with technological level, it is important that government agencies provide support in the transfer of knowledge to improve the technological level.