Almacenamiento y distribución estratégica de la producción de maíz en el estado de Chiapas.

The seasonality of maize (Zea mays subsp mays) production in the state of Chiapas and consumption uniformity during the year determine temporary excess supply causing a fall in prices and producer income. A storage policy could prevent the problem of excess supply; however, the implementation of this is not possible if the installed storage capacity is insufficient. In order to determine if the infrastructure allows warehouses to meet demand that the storage inventory program requires, the solution was obtained from a spatial and intertemporal balance model in the maize market in Chiapas in 2012. The results indicate that only in La Frailesca and Istmo-Costa regions is the installed capacity in warehouses greater than the storage demand. The Centro and Fronteriza regions have excess demand for maximum storage in February by 143.2 and 93.6 thousand tons, and the Altos, Norte, and Soconusco regions have ten months of excess demand with maximums in February and July. Because storage service is essential for the proper management of production over time, investment in warehousing infrastructure is recommended in regions where temporary excess supply of production causes a fall in prices.