René Llerandi, president of Trópico Wholesale in Barranquitas, warns of a possible shortage of pascuas, traditional Christmas plants, due to high material costs and the ongoing drought in Puerto Rico. Several suppliers have had to close operations because of the cost of raw materials and difficulties in finding workers. Sales have also decreased due to the drought, as people are not buying the plants.
Llerandi’s farm has a well that has allowed them to maintain operations, but they must carefully control water usage. Recent rainfall has brought some relief, and Llerandi hopes that favorable weather conditions will continue, allowing the plants to develop and be available for the holiday season. According to Llerandi, 'without pascuas, there is no Christmas’.