Taxes, Food Waste and Grain Production

Lawmakers in Mexico are pushing to tax commercial electrolyte beverages, citing high sugar content and public health concerns. Meanwhile, Mexico boasts the highest food waste in Latin America.

This is the Week in Agribusiness and Food!

Mexico Proposes Taxes on High-Sugar Electrolyte Drinks

Mexican legislators have proposed taxing commercial electrolyte beverages, currently exempt as medicines, to address high sugar consumption and generate additional revenue, potentially exceeding MX$5 billion (US$272 million). The proposal highlights that many electrolyte drinks contain sugar levels comparable to soft drinks, contributing to public health risks such as kidney problems, high blood pressure, and mineral overload, while consumption continues to grow, reaching 26.5% of the population in 2025. 

Food Waste in Mexico Drives Social, Environmental Challenges

Food waste in Mexico reaches approximately 30Mt annually, with households responsible for most of this, contributing to hunger, economic losses equivalent to 2.5% of GDP, and greenhouse gas emissions comparable to 16 million cars. Initiatives such as BAMX’s food recovery programs and Mexico City’s CEDA projects have rescued hundreds of tons of food, benefiting millions of people facing food insecurity. FAO emphasizes the importance of measuring food loss to guide policies, improve resource efficiency, and reduce environmental impact, highlighting that Latin America’s challenge lies more in access than food availability.

Producers Call to Remove Staple Grains From USMCA

Mexican academics and agricultural producers are calling for the removal of staple grains, including corn, wheat, beans, and sorghum, from USMCA, warning that reliance on imports undermines food sovereignty and national self-sufficiency. Participants at an UNAM forum emphasized the need for increased agricultural budgets, sovereign credit policies, and support for local producers to strengthen rural livelihoods and prioritize domestic production. A national mobilization is planned in October to petition the federal government, urging urgent policy changes to protect staple grain production and ensure long-term food security.

Mexico Advances Support for Sinaloa White Corn Producers

The Mexican government, in coordination with Sinaloa and local producers, is promoting the marketing of non-GMO white corn for the fall-winter season, aiming to achieve national self-sufficiency targets. Officials plan to produce 25Mt of white corn, supporting farmers and ensuring supply for the masa and tortilla industry, with Sinaloa playing a central role as the country’s largest producer. Minister of Agriculture Julio Berdegué also outlined support for the state’s livestock and fisheries sectors, committing to ongoing dialogue with producers to provide certainty ahead of the agricultural cycle.

SAFINSA 2025 Spotlights Soil Health and Regenerative Farming

At Expo SAFINSA 2025 in Sinaloa, agricultural specialists emphasized that Mexico’s farming future relies on regenerative practices, innovation, and accurate measurement of soil health. Experts highlighted the importance of crop rotation, cover crops, integrated livestock, and returning organic matter to the soil, while stressing that standardized metrics are essential for accessing investment and financing. The event also showcased modern machinery, precision agriculture tools, and digital platforms, though smallholders raised concerns over high costs, limited technical support, and difficulties scaling sustainability initiatives.