Mexico’s Bean Production Rebounds Amid Drought Challenges

The Agricultural Markets Consulting Group (GCMA) revealed that by the end of 2024, bean production could recover despite the drought conditions experienced earlier in the year. This marks a significant improvement compared to the record lows of 2023, which saw production plummet to historic depths, as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture (SADER).

According to GCMA, production is expected to reach 856,000t this year, an 18% increase from the 724,000t recorded in 2023. Last year’s output was 25% lower than the 965,000t reported in 2022 and represented a steep 44% decline from the 1.2Mt harvested in 2021. The sharp drop was primarily attributed to the severe drought that gripped the nation, with CONAGUA reporting that rainfall between January and July averaged just 240.6mm, the lowest in a decade.

Although dry conditions persisted in 1H24, the outlook for the 2024-2025 fall-winter agricultural cycle is more optimistic. Sinaloa, the country’s second largest bean producing state after Zacatecas, anticipates a harvest of 150,000-180,000t, surpassing the state’s internal demand of 100,000t. Marte Vega, President, Confederation of Agricultural Associations of Sinaloa (CAADES), emphasized that this production will play a critical role in meeting national consumption needs.

Vega identified commercialization as a key challenge, noting that producers often contend with intermediaries who purchase at low prices and resell at inflated margins. To counter this, he encouraged farmers in Sinaloa to store their harvest and wait for more favorable market conditions. “While the initial supply may seem abundant, national demand will ensure competitive pricing for Sinaloa’s beans in the medium term, aided by state government support for storage costs,” Vega explained.

Meanwhile, the spring harvest in states like Zacatecas and Durango has suffered from continued drought, leading to reduced yields for a second consecutive year and exacerbating the national deficit. According to the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), current production levels remain far below historical benchmarks, with the record of 1.5Mt set in 2002.

With domestic consumption averaging 1Mt annually, Mexico has struggled to maintain self-sufficiency, relying on imports to cover roughly a quarter of its demand, as reported by SADER. Countries such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, Guatemala, China, and Spain have become key suppliers. In 2023, Mexico imported 313,000t of beans valued at US$369 million, a staggering 230% increase from 2022. By October 2024, GCMA reported a 65% rise in import volume and an 82% surge in value.

In response to the shortage of this dietary staple, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced in December 2024 a plan to increase annual bean production by 300,000t. The initiative includes launching the Seed Producer for Well-Being Program (PROSEBIEN) in Zacatecas and raising the guaranteed price for beans to MX$27/kg (US$1.32/kg). These measures aim to strengthen domestic production and move the country closer to achieving food sovereignty for this essential crop.