INIFAP Signs Agreement to Support Wheat Production

During World Food Day, Luis Rodríguez, Director General, National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP), and Jesús Hernández, President, the National Wheat Product System Committee, signed an agreement to increase Mexico’s wheat production. The meeting was held at the offices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), located in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, and was also attended by Minister of SADER Victor Villalobos.

 The agreement will link wheat producers with research institutions that will provide training to encourage the adoption of new wheat varieties and increase the supply of kernels to meet demand. To achieve these goals, INIFAP has schemes and projects focused on intensive crop production, certified seed reproduction, genetic improvement and technological packages for small-scale producers.

During the event, Villalobos highlighted the work of wheat producers in contributing to agricultural production. In 2021, wheat production reached 3,283,000 tons, with gains of MX$17 billion (US$860.51 million), of which 150,000 tons corresponds to bread wheat and 1,782,000 tons to crystal wheat malt mostly used for baking and in the production of macaroni and short pasta.

Sonora leads the production of crystal wheat, with 80 percent of the national crop yields. During the autumn-winter 2021 cycle, the crop covered 194,000ha, while in January 2022, 243,151ha was reported. This represented an increase of 25.3 percent. Baja California ranks second in wheat production, with 35,300ha of cultivated land and 14 percent of the country’s production.

In the international market, the annual trade of Mexican wheat stands between 490,000 and 1,543,000 tons. The main destination for grain exports are North African countries. In 2021, Algeria acquired a volume exceeding 428,000 tons. Mexico’s imports are little.