Mexico Expands Corn Support Amid Record Imports

The Ministry of Agriculture is disbursing MX$1.1 billion in direct payments to white corn producers under a guaranteed price scheme, while extending support to yellow corn growers and coordinating with major buyers such as Gruma and Minsa to stabilize domestic prices. The measures respond to sustained market pressure from record corn imports, primarily from the United States, which have depressed local prices and affected the agri-food supply chain. The policy framework combines federal and state subsidies, preferential input negotiations and agroecological productivity programs, impacting grain markets, food manufacturing, and rural development nationwide.

Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) reported that it has delivered MX$1.1 billion (US$65.4 million) to white corn producers, corresponding to the incentive for the Spring–Summer 2025 cycle. The payments are part of a guaranteed price scheme implemented after months of low market prices and producer protests.

A total of 22,516 beneficiaries in the states of Campeche, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Queretaro and Tlaxcala have already received this support in their bank accounts, after President Claudia Sheinbaum instructed the implementation of a simplified operational mechanism and direct, immediate assistance.

As of the weekend cutoff, more than 28,000 farmers had approached service windows and storage facilities to apply for the benefit, which consists of MX$800/t of the staple grain provided by the federal government, complemented by MX$150/t from each state government. These supports stem from the agreement established between producers in the Bajio region and SADER last November, when after several weeks of protests a guaranteed base price of MX$6,150/t of corn was set (a fixed base of MX$5,200 plus the MX$950 support).

The agency underscored that farmers who have not yet verified their payment status may do so at any of the 203 service windows that remain open, located in storage facilities, Rural Development Districts (DDR), Rural Development Support Centers (CADER), or SADER Representation Offices. This process will continue until the full disbursement of all payments is completed in the coming days.

Similarly, the process has already begun for yellow corn producers in the states of Chihuahua and Tamaulipas to receive a federal support of MX$600/t of grain, along with MX$150/t from their respective state governments, corresponding to the Spring–Summer 2025 cycle. Moreover, in February, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a special support program for Sinaloa’s agricultural sector, particularly in response to the reduction in the price of hybrid white corn seed and other grains.

“In the case of Sinaloa, it is a similar scheme to what we are implementing: one part is supported by the federal government, another part by the state government, and another part by large buyers, meaning major corn buyers in Mexico. Primarily Gruma and Minsa are purchasing at a higher price, and many others who use corn for animal feed are also making purchasing commitments and offering an additional price above the current market level,” she explained.

Furthermore, the president noted that meetings are being coordinated with agricultural input suppliers to establish preferential prices for producers. “Many times, farmers purchase corn seed individually, which makes it very expensive, or they buy fertilizer individually, which also raises costs. We want to work hand in hand with suppliers to improve this situation,” she stated.

In the case of native corn, a separate initiative called Siembra el Maíz es la Raíz (Sowing Corn Is the Root) is underway, providing training to boost productivity, specialized equipment for small plots of 1-2ha, and support to develop value-added linkages. It is a comprehensive project for corn production. Regarding beans, there is also an improved seed program underway, as well as work on guaranteed pricing and other products, president Sheinbaum announced. Additionally, she recalled that the Cosechando Soberanía (Harvesting Sovereignty) program continues to be strengthened, offering low-interest loans and other complementary initiatives.

These supports arrive after a difficult year for corn producers, characterized by low sale prices. This situation is largely explained by a global oversupply of grain, which has pushed prices downward and encouraged buyers to import cheaper grain from abroad, particularly from the United States, thereby affecting the domestic market. In January 2026, combined imports of white and yellow corn reached an unprecedented 1.9Mt, representing a 24.7% year-on-year increase, as reported by Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM).

According to the Agricultural Markets Consulting Group (GCMA), in 2025 Mexico broke its corn import record for the third consecutive year, both yellow and white corn, with a volume of 24.Mt, 4.1% more than the 23.6Mt recorded in 2024. Of the total purchased, primarily from the United States, 900,000t were white corn used in the masa and tortilla supply chain, a 350% increase compared to the 200,000t imported the previous year.

Field Schools Boost Yields, Cut Costs

Against this backdrop of market pressure and rising imports, SADER highlighted progress in boosting domestic productivity and sustainability.

SADER reported that in 2025, with technical assistance and agroecological practices promoted through the Field Schools (ECAs), yields in corn crops increased by up to 25% in Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, the State of Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan and Zacatecas.

Nearly 107,000 corn producers organized into 2,980 Field Schools evaluated the results of each production cycle and reported an average 6.5% reduction in total production costs, as well as a 14% decrease in investment allocated to agrochemicals, compared to those who did not receive technical support. With increased yields and lower costs, producers managed to reduce the production cost per ton of grain by 21%.

Additionally, efforts focused on preserving and improving native corn varieties, with the establishment of 191 seed banks and seed houses safeguarding 51 of the country’s 64 native corn races. Producers have also generated more than 40t of outstanding native corn seed and improved varieties, which will be distributed across 2,000ha to be planted in the 2026 agricultural cycle. The technical team collaborates in the agronomic and cultural characterization of these races, providing key inputs for the creation of Geographical Indications, a legal instrument promoted by the National Seed Inspection and Certification Service (SNICS).

“These varieties represent the greatest genetic diversity of corn in the world. In the face of climate change and the faster spread of pests and diseases, they are an invaluable treasure. Peoples and communities have preserved them for centuries for the benefit of Mexico and humanity,” emphasized Julio Berdegué, Minister, SADER.

Finally, the program strengthened social organization through the consolidation of 770 working groups and associative figures such as cooperatives and production societies for commercialization. This enabled the sale of grains and processed products, including tortillas and flours, in 75 proprietary markets and tianguis. These achievements are also the result of the work of 565 corn-specialized technicians certified in competencies such as Agroecological Transition Plan Design, Participatory Genetic Improvement, and the Field School Methodology, SADER highlighted.