Mexico’s Protected Horticulture Sector Continues to Grow

Mexico has solidified its position as a leading global producer and exporter of horticultural crops, with over 3.5Mt of vegetables cultivated on more than 27,951ha, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER). This growth plays a vital role in supporting shared prosperity across the country, particularly in the production of key crops like tomatoes, onions, and green chili peppers.

During the 16th Annual Congress of the Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC), Santiago Arguello, General Coordinator of Agriculture, SADER, highlighted the sector’s significant contributions. Tomato production has reached 2.3Mt, while onions and green chili peppers have recorded outputs of 463,000 and 612,000t, respectively. 

Arguello noted that protected agriculture creates substantial employment, generating around 110,000 permanent jobs and 120,000 seasonal positions. He emphasized the need for continued efforts across public, private, and social sectors to ensure fair labor conditions and better family incomes for agricultural workers, especially migrant laborers.

However, challenges remain. The coordinator underscored the need to address issues such as soil degradation, diminishing water resources for agriculture, labor shortages, and market price volatility. He advocated for integrated risk management to stabilize production and family incomes in the face of these challenges. “It is essential to ensuring that Mexico’s protected horticulture sector remains a global leader without compromising environmental sustainability,” Arguello stated.