ESG Strategies to Change Mexican Agriculture

This week, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) announced a new sustainability plan and suggested an increase in lemon production to fight their skyrocketing price. 

Meanwhile, CzechTrade México’s Tereza Vítková discussed opportunities for both countries and Kellogg's CEO addressed the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles that will shape the agriculture and food industry during 2022.

Here are the week's major headlines in Agribusiness & Food!

SADER to Make Mexican Agriculture Sector More Sustainable 

SADER announced plans to improve sustainable practices in the Mexican agriculture sector that will be taken alongside the new Inter-American Congress of Soil, Water and Agrobiodiversity and the Mexican Association of Ministries of Agricultural Development (AMSDA). "We have to take advantage of having the best historical conditions to develop the sector and assume leadership with the correct application of resources, without corruption and with the aim of improving the living conditions of our producers," said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Víctor Villalobos Arámbula. 

Inside the Czech Republic's Food and Beverage Culture

Tereza Vítková, Director, CzechTrade México, discussed the country’s main exports to Mexico, which include beer and its main ingredients such as hops and malts. The Czech Žatec hop (Lupulo Saaz) is known for its quality and taste among Mexican microbreweries, which use it to brew Pilsner-type beer, said Vítková. Czech hops and malts are also used in Mexican breweries to create local and foreign beer brands. "A number of Czech products are so unique that they are included in the World Intellectual Property Organization's Lisbon Agreement," she said.

Top 5 Themes for Driving an ESG Strategy 

ESG practices will continue to drive the food industry, said Kellogg’s, but there is still much to do. "It will not be easy but if we want to succeed, we need to have the courage to push forward and drive positive change for people, communities and the planet," stated Kellogg Company Chairman and CEO, Steve Cahillane. 

Lemon Production On the Rise

Lemon production in 2021 totaled 2.96 million tons, 4 percent more than the previous year, said SADER. However, the increase of their reference price has been pronounced in 1Q2022 due to a smaller harvest in late 2021. The ministry is planning new measures to protect consumers from their rising prices and avoid contract breaches that could affect foreign trade.