Mexico’s Russian Wheat Imports Plummet Nearly 90%

In 2025, Mexico’s imports of Russian wheat fell by nearly 90%. In the domestic market, wheat production has been affected by international prices, as well as by rising costs associated with inputs, energy, and transportation, all of which have placed pressure on Mexican farmers.

The Kaliningrad office of specialists from the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) reported that Mexico has purchased 58,000t of wheat from Russia so far in 2025. Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 5, Russian authorities inspected three shipments destined for Mexico. The most recent cargo consisted of 29,000t dispatched on Nov. 2.

The agency noted that all required laboratory tests were carried out at the Kaliningrad branch of the Russian Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, which verified that the quarantined products fully met Mexico’s phytosanitary requirements. In addition, three phytosanitary certificates were issued to allow the cargo to be transported as full-ship loads.

The Russian office highlighted that total wheat sales represent a significant decline compared to levels reported in previous years. In 2023, Mexico’s imports of Russian wheat totaled 946,600t, tripling the volumes from the prior year. In 2024, purchases dropped to around 550,000t. Given that this year’s total is 58,000t, imports are estimated to have fallen by 89%.

Despite this temporary slowdown, Russia remains committed to diversifying its wheat exports beyond its traditional buyers in the Middle East and is seeking new markets in Latin America, Asia, and Africa through its expanding grain terminals in the Baltic Sea. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture expects this year’s wheat harvest to reach 88Mt, while export projections for the 2025/26 season have been revised downward to between 43 and 44Mt.

What Is the Situation in Mexico’s Wheat Market?

In a public statement, the National Agricultural Council (CNA) reported that during this agricultural cycle, producers of corn, wheat, sorghum and other grains have faced a combination of critical factors that have undermined the profitability and sustainability of their activities. Key issues include falling international prices and an exchange rate that has reduced the competitiveness of the Mexican peso, significantly lowering income for domestic producers.

The council also emphasized the high production costs driven by more expensive inputs, energy, and transportation. In this context, producers in several states have continued the mobilizations that began last month, demanding better working conditions and guaranteed prices for their crops. Most recently, agricultural producers announced a planned blockade in Mexico City and the State of Mexico for Nov. 24. Their demands include guaranteed prices based on real production costs, at least a 30% profit margin for producers, increased financing, and an end to unfair marketing practices.

Amid uncertainty over grain prices, producers in the Mexicali Valley announced they will begin the wheat planting season on Dec. 15. Horacio Gómez, President of the Baja California State Wheat Producers Council, said that so far nothing has been defined regarding the price they will receive per ton, and they are requesting a 20% profit margin.

“We still don’t have certainty about what the price will be, because we do not agree with the Chicago Board of Trade’s price quote. We are going to protest to get that price changed,” Gómez said. He also mentioned that during his most recent meeting with Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila, he stressed the urgency of holding talks with industry representatives to find a way to guarantee security for producers when marketing their grain.