Mexico Unveils Milk Self-Sufficiency Plan

The federal government has introduced the Milk Self-Sufficiency Plan, a national strategy aimed at increasing milk production by 25% by 2030 as part of broader efforts to strengthen food sovereignty. The initiative includes the construction of a new pasteurization plant and a series of measures to support small and medium-sized producers,

President Claudia Sheinbaum led the presentation of the Milk Self-Sufficiency Plan in Campeche, which includes the construction of a new pasteurization plant with an investment of around MX$140 million (US$7.14 million). This plant will produce 100,000L of milk daily, supplying the states of Campeche, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and, in a second phase, Chiapas.

During the event, Julio Berdagué, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), acknowledged Campeche’s collaboration in donating the facilities where the new plant will be located, which helped reduce costs and shorten construction times. He also stated that the plant is expected to be inaugurated before year’s end. This initiative aims to double milk production in the state, fostering the growth of small and medium-scale ranchers, who currently account for 90% of regional milk production.

The minister highlighted that this effort is part of the five major goals of Plan México, particularly the objective of strengthening food sovereignty. He emphasized that Mexico currently produces around 13 billion L of milk annually and aims to raise this figure to 15 billion L by 2030, thus reducing its reliance on imports. At present, 30% of Mexico’s milk consumption depends on imports, mainly from the United States.

The Campeche Plan is also part of the President’s 100 commitments for Mexico, specifically commitment No. 67, which focuses on producing more milk and more rice in the state. To achieve this, five measures will be implemented: ensuring a fair price for milk, expanding technical assistance by doubling the number of Field Schools in Campeche from 125 to 250, distributing Fertilizers for Well-Being, promoting the new credit program Harvesting Sovereignty with preferential interest rates of 8.5% and agricultural insurance, and taking advantage of a private donation of MX$100 million to boost local production through veterinary support, genetic improvement, and strengthening grazing systems.

Antonio Talamantes, Director, Milk for Well-Being, reaffirmed the commitment to expand the program’s coverage, aiming to increase the number of beneficiaries from 6.3 million to 10 million by the end of the current administration. In the southeastern region, the goal is to double the coverage from 630,000 to 1.2 million beneficiaries. He also stressed that the program supports small and medium-sized national producers by purchasing fresh milk at MX$11.50/L. “The best price in the market,” he said.

According to data from the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), milk production in Mexico has remained stable over the past five years. In 2023, approximately 13.3 billion L were produced, representing a 1.7% increase compared to 2022. By 2025, annual production is expected to grow by 2.2%, according to projections by the Mexican Association of Milk Producers (AMLAC).