Sustainable Agriculture and Food Waste Reduction

INIFAP and Heineken Mexico will boost sustainable barley production and efficient water use across the beer value chain. Meanwhile, SEDEMA launched the Zero Food Waste Certification Program to reduce food waste. 

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INIFAP, Heineken to Boost Sustainable Barley Agriculture

INIFAP and Heineken Mexico have entered a collaboration agreement aimed at advancing sustainable agriculture and water management across Mexico. The partnership focuses on developing new wheat and barley varieties, implementing sustainable farming techniques, and offering educational programs. Emphasizing water resource optimization, the agreement aims to bolster rural development, enhance agricultural competitiveness, and foster scientific innovation within the brewing industry, showcasing significant reductions in water use and reinforcing environmental stewardship.

Mexico City Launches Zero Food Waste Certification Program

Mexico City's Ministry of the Environment (SEDEMA) introduced the Zero Food Waste Certification Program (PCCRA) aiming to encourage large food waste generators to adopt sustainable practices voluntarily. Targeting establishments like supermarkets, restaurants, and hospitals, the program promotes waste reduction, recovery, and recycling to enhance food sustainability and social benefits. With daily organic waste in the city reaching 964.08t, the initiative also addresses environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste disposal, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Climate Change Threatens Mexican Agriculture

Francisco Estrada, Coordinator of the Climate Change Research Program, UNAM, highlighted alarming trends in Mexico's agricultural sector due to climate change. He emphasized significant projected yield reductions for crops like corn, soybean, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, and coffee by the end of the century under high emissions scenarios. Estrada also noted potential strategies such as cultivating climate-resistant crop varieties to mitigate these impacts.

Mexicans' Food Spending Shifts Toward Processed Foods

Banxico’s Regional Economies Report for 1Q24 revealed a concerning trend in Mexican food expenditure, showing an 8.4% increase from 2006 to 2022, largely driven by higher consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods. Between January and March 2024 alone, spending on processed foods rose by 30%, while ultra-processed foods saw a 20.5% increase, despite their nutritional concerns. This shift, where ultra-processed foods now account for 11.6% of food spending, poses health risks and strains public healthcare, particularly noted in the southern region with a significant 28.1% spending rise on these items from 2016 to 2022.

Mexico's Agricultural Production Surges in 2023

In 2023, Mexico's agricultural, livestock, and fisheries sectors experienced economic growth, 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. Despite challenges such as drought conditions, agricultural production remained stable at 271Mt, while the livestock subsector saw increases in milk, poultry meat, and table egg production. In fisheries, total production slightly decreased to 1.977Mt, with aquaculture dominating production volumes. These sectors reflect Mexico's resilient agricultural and fisheries landscape amid ongoing environmental and economic challenges.