Mexico, China Deepen Agri-Food Ties

Mexico and China are deepening cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, with a focus on market access, food safety, technology, sustainability, and scientific exchange. The relationship creates opportunities for Mexican producers and exporters of agricultural and fishery products, particularly rice, sorghum, seafood, and pork, while regulatory measures such as China’s preliminary antidumping duties on Mexican pecans and concerns over illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing remain relevant to bilateral trade.

Mexico and China are seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture and fisheries while identifying new opportunities for trade, technology, innovation, and sustainable development. Columba López, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), and Chen Daojiang, Ambassador of China to Mexico, held a working meeting to deepen bilateral relations and identify new opportunities in innovation, technology, sustainability, and agri-food development in both countries.

The officials discussed key priorities on the agri-food agenda, market access, and measures to facilitate trade, with the aim of diversifying and consolidating the presence of Mexican agricultural and fishery products in high-demand international markets. Key topics included scientific and technological exchanges, innovation in agri-food production, agroecology, and industrial development in the sector. Both delegations also agreed on the importance of exploring new types of packaging to optimize export logistics and further joint research on fisheries.

China’s Aquaculture and Fisheries Industry

China leads global aquatic animal production with 73Mt annually, of which 82% comes from aquaculture and 18% from capture fisheries. Most of this production is destined for domestic consumption. According to the China Overseas Fisheries Association (COFA), per capita consumption in China reached approximately 56kg in 2024, more than twice the global average. Aquatic animal consumption in China includes fresh and frozen fish, as well as seafood, shrimp, mussels, crabs, squid, and other products.

The size of the industry also makes China one of the world’s leading exporters of these products. COFA reported that in 2024, China exported slightly more than 4Mt of shrimp, carp, catfish, trout, and crab, with destinations including the United States, Japan, the European Union, and Africa.

“We always say that we are a major fishing country, but most of our production comes from aquaculture. Capture fisheries account for very little,” said Zhang Xianliang, President, China Fisheries Association, which represents 220 companies. Of these, 170 are involved in capture fisheries and the remainder in processing. Capture fisheries account for only 18% of total production, equivalent to 13Mt.

Zhang reiterated that China’s position on combating illegal activities is consistent and firm. Fishing vessels operating at sea are therefore subject to location monitoring: domestically, all vessels must submit a position report every hour, while internationally, reports are submitted every four hours. A vessel-location alert system is also in place to prevent ships from entering areas under another country’s jurisdiction without authorization, and thorough investigations are conducted when potential illegal activities are detected.

The activity of China’s fishing fleet has raised concerns in Mexico and across Latin America over possible illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices. In Mexico, organizations such as Oceana and Global Fishing Watch have documented a significant presence of Chinese vessels in the Pacific, particularly off the coast of Baja California and near Mexico’s exclusive economic zone.

The issue extends to other countries. Off Ecuador, for example, the Chinese fleet concentrates near the Galápagos Islands, where hundreds of vessels have been identified during periods of high activity. Argentina, Peru, and Chile have also expressed concerns over the pressure these fleets may place on shared resources and migratory species.

One of the main concerns is the difficulty of monitoring operations conducted far from shore, as well as potential cases involving transshipment of catches, fishing in restricted areas, and the incidental capture of protected species. Organizations have called for greater transparency regarding vessel locations, catches, and supply chains, while governments across the region have strengthened satellite monitoring and port controls to combat IUU fishing.

Regarding sustainable development, Zhang emphasized that China assumes its responsibilities and obligations related to the conservation, protection, and management of resources. One example is the strict control over the scale of distant-water fishing: since 2016, the number of vessels and fleets has remained stable, and further reductions are expected. China has also implemented other measures, including fishing bans and closed seasons.

Ye Shaohua, Chairman of the Board, National Fisheries Corporation, says the company’s 300 vessels are equipped with advanced technology to reduce energy consumption and improve their environmental performance. He also explains that fishing equipment, tools, and capture systems have been upgraded to reduce bycatch, including the use of turtle-release devices.

Mexico Strengthens Fisheries Research 

Regarding fisheries research, the 12th Scientific Forum on Small-Scale Fisheries and the 2nd Forum on Small-Scale Aquaculture, organized by the Mexican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS), will bring together Mexican specialists to analyze and promote actions aimed at the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The event will include researchers, academics, students, producers, civil society organizations, and authorities from the three levels of government.

The forum seeks to build a direct bridge between specialized knowledge and the real needs of these sectors. Participants will exchange assessments, technological advances, and best practices that can contribute to the sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources.

The event will prioritize the development of legislative and public policy proposals focused on strengthening the resilience of small-scale fishing communities, diversifying production through sustainable aquaculture, preserving aquatic biodiversity, and strengthening local economies.

New Opportunities for Agricultural Trade 

Another key pillar of the discussions was strengthening food safety and sanitary standards, with technical and regulatory support from Mexico’s National Service for Agro-Alimentary Public Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA), as well as ensuring compliance with international quality standards. In particular, the Chinese government delegation expressed interest in advancing cooperation and market access agendas for priority products such as rice and sorghum, opening the door to future partnerships that could directly benefit Mexican producers.

China is one of the world’s largest rice producers. FAO estimates that the country produced about 209Mt of paddy rice in 2025, 0.7% more than in 2024, driven by improved yields. Despite this large domestic supply, China remains an important participant in international rice trade, and FAO forecasts imports of approximately 3.1Mt in 2026, creating opportunities for agricultural suppliers such as Mexico.

Regarding sorghum, China relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. FAO estimates that Chinese sorghum imports will reach 6.5Mt in the 2025/26 marketing year. Moreover, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that China will import 7.5Mt during the 2026/27 marketing year, equivalent to approximately 80% of projected global imports of 9.4Mt, primarily to meet demand from the animal feed industry.

China ranks ninth among destinations for Mexican agri-food exports, with more than US$262.9 million. Major products shipped to the Chinese market include pork, fishmeal, beer, pecans, lobster, shrimp, oilseeds, live mollusks, and tequila.

China has preliminarily imposed countervailing duties ranging from 17.8% to 51.6% on Mexican pecans exports as part of an antidumping investigation. Direct Mexican pecan exports to the Asian country totaled US$21.9 million in 2024. Mexico’s Ministry of Economy is  working with Chinese authorities to monitor the process.