Mexico's Agricultural Production Surges in 2023

Mexico's agricultural, livestock, and fisheries sectors saw a notable economic rise in 2023, totaling MX$1.55 billion (US$53.8 million), a 1.6% increase from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Based on the 2024 Agri-Food Expectations from the Agricultural and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), federal authorities detailed that last year's production totaled 299Mt, a volume nearly identical to 2022, amid widespread drought conditions across the nation. The report highlighted reduced planted areas, increased incidence of disasters, and scant rainfall in 2023, estimating that agricultural production totaled 271Mt, a marginal 0.5% decrease from 2022.

Regarding the livestock subsector, SIAP emphasized favorable conditions in 2023 contributing to increased milk production, poultry meat, and table egg output. Dairy production saw a rise of 228 million L, while additional volumes of poultry meat and table eggs were 106,000 and 70,000t, respectively. Overall, national livestock production totaled 25.1Mt by the end of 2023, a 2.0% increase compared to 2022 volumes. 

In the fisheries sector, Mexican 2023 production totaled just over 1.977Mt, a 0.7% decrease from the previous year. Aquaculture production of shrimp and tilapia represented about 90% of the total 235,000t of aquaculture production, while sardines, anchovies, and tuna contributed 70.5% of the 1.7Mt of capture.

The Ministry underscored the varied challenges and achievements across these sectors, reflecting Mexico's dynamic agricultural and fisheries landscape amid environmental and economic pressures.