Mexico Advances Organic Agriculture at National Forum

The ninth edition of the forum was held on May 22 and 23, 2025, in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. The event brought together more than 1,500 participants, including producers, researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and representatives from state and international governments for dialog, training, and the creation of partnerships around organic production, bringing together stakeholders from across the agricultural sector to drive sustainable innovation and collaboration..

Throughout the forum, a series of conferences were held, addressing topics such as biological pest control, natural fertilization, technologies for sustainable water management, export certifications, and applied biotechnology. Additionally, a commercial area was set up, enabling producers to establish direct contact with marketers, exporters, input suppliers, technicians, and other key players in the production chain, thus fostering the creation of strategic partnerships.

Sergio de Jesús Morales, President, State Council of the Tomato Product System, emphasized the importance of the event as a vital space for the exchange of knowledge between agriculture, science, entrepreneurship, and public policy. “Today we are brought together by a cause that grows with strong roots: organic agriculture. In Mexico, it is no longer just an alternative, but a concrete response to the environmental, economic, and social challenges of our time,” he said.

Morales also reaffirmed Guanajuato’s global leadership in the export of organic vegetables. He highlighted that the state has become a national benchmark in the production of high-quality vegetables, with a forward-looking approach aimed at the markets of the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada. During his speech, he also thanked the institutional support provided by the state government in organizing the forum and promoting the sustainable agricultural model.

Rodolfo Alejandro Ponce, Deputy Minister of Agri-Food Development and Competitiveness, Guanajuato’s Ministry of Agriculture, underlined the forum’s role as a key platform for agri-food development. “Today’s market demands food that is safe, sustainable, and healthy. Guanajuato is the top exporter despite not being a border state and remains one of the three leading exporters of agri-food products nationwide. That is the result of coordinated work between government, producers, academia, and civil organizations,” he noted.

Ponce acknowledged that farmers have had to adapt to the socio-economic and political challenges and called on younger generations to take a more active role in rural life. “Today, the average age of agricultural producers in Mexico is 64. Seeing so many students here gives us hope. We must show them that working the land can be profitable when done with science, technology, and commitment,” he stated.

According to the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information System (SIAP), in 2019, the area harvested for organic products in Mexico totaled 42,027.99 ha, reaching a production value of MX$5.8 billion (US$299.9 million). Furthermore, data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) shows that Oaxaca, Chiapas, Michoacan, Chihuahua, and Guerrero accounted for 82.8% of the total organic farming area in 2018. The first three states alone represent 50% of the total, with key crops including coffee, agave, avocado, corn, sorghum, sesame, and mango.