In 2023, Mexico's Ranking in Global Food Production Will Drop

The Agricultural Markets Advisory Group (GCMA) announced that in 2023, Mexico will drop from ninth to tenth place in the list of the world’s largest food producers. GCMA urges the Mexican government to take action and support the growth of the agricultural sector. 

GCMA’s Agri-Food Perspectives 2023 report stated that Mexico’s food production will reach around 290 million t in 2023, including grains, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, livestock and processed products, thereby exceeding the 287 million t reported in 2022. However, even though production continues to grow, the Mexican agricultural sector has remained stagnant since 2018. 

"Mexico drops one position in the international food production ranking following the projected increase in food production in Canada and Ukraine. Ukraine’s growth is good news because despite the war, agricultural activities will stay their course," the report says. On an international scale, China will continue to lead food production with a total of 1.4 billion t, India follows with 799.4 million t and the US will occupy the third place with 773.9 million t.

GCMA pointed out that during 2022, grains and oilseeds production in Mexico were affected by agro climatic conditions and market volatility, resulting in annual production of 40.3 million t. “During 2022, 76 million t of grains were consumed, which means that nearly 36 million were imported. Corn was the main imported product with 17.3 million t, followed by 6.5 million t of soybeans and 5.2 million t of wheat,” the report reads. By 2023, total grains and oilseeds production is estimated to range between 39.5 to 44.3 million t.

According to the report, 87% of Mexico’s grain volume in 2022 focused on corn production with 26.9 million t, sorghum with 4.3 million t and wheat with 3.6 million t. In 2023, the group predicts corn production will grow by 4.2%, reaching 28 million t. Meanwhile, sorghum will account for 4.6 million t and wheat 3.5 million t.

The report underscores that economic, geopolitical and climate change problems have had a great impact on the agri-food sector. “The federal government must adjust its policies toward the countryside on the understanding that there are different types of producers with different needs. Addressing these needs can ignite the spark of the agricultural and agro-industrial sectors to continue growing on the right path.”