Mexican Farmers Launch National Strike Over Corn Prices

Grain producers across Mexico launched a national strike on Oct. 14, with planned actions in 20 states, including Sinaloa, Sonora, Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacan. The demonstrations, organized by the National Front for the Rescue of the Mexican Countryside (FNRCM), call for better prices for basic grains, exclusion of grains from USMCA, and the creation of a new Development Bank.

The National Union of Agricultural Workers (UNTA) also confirmed its support. Álvaro López, Leader, UNTA, said members would join the strike to demand a guaranteed corn price of MX$7,200/t and the removal of basic grains from USMCA. López noted that over the past decade, Mexico’s production of corn has fallen 4% while imports have risen 78.4%, citing low yields, limited technological innovation, and insufficient investment in the sector.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, Mexico is expected to import 25Mt of corn in the 2025–2026 cycle. The USDA report highlights structural limitations, including irrigation constraints, restricted financing, rising insecurity, and competition from higher-value horticultural crops, which continue to limit domestic production.

The strike reflects growing frustration among farmers and agricultural organizations, which have been mobilizing on social media in recent days. Leaders say the protest aims to pressure the government to address structural challenges, raise corn prices, and implement policies to boost domestic production and investment.