However, domestic production will fall from 40.4 million tons in 2023 to 37.6 million tons this year.
Mexico, far from being self-sufficient in the production of grains and oilseeds, broke a record in its imports in the first four months of the year with an annual increase of 20.4%, and a record volume of 16.5 million metric tons.
The above “reflects that the import of grains is greater than national production, and in no case has it been fulfilled, nor has self-sufficiency been achieved,” said Juan Carlos Anaya, director of the Group of Agricultural Market Consultants (GCMA).
He explained that production will fall from 40.4 million tons in 2023 to 37.6 million tons, which is “the worst drop since 2015. This situation is a consequence of the drought and in the face of productivity that has not increased, which shows the lack of programs that promote production, productivity and profitability.”
It should be noted that grains and oilseeds include corn, wheat, sorghum, soybeans (grain, pasta and oil), rice, beans, canola, oats, barley and malt complex, oils and cotton complex.
Going into detail, he explained that in the case of corn, imports reached a record volume of 8.3 million metric tons, this is 22.2% higher than in 2023; although its value fell 18.7%.
If we consider the accumulated purchases of white corn that our country has made is 118 million metric tons and said grain comes mainly from the United States, with whom there is still a controversy, since Mexico continues analyzing the viability of the use of glyphosate. as a herbicide for corn production (although it recently postponed the entry into force of its ban).
The record in imports was also reflected in the monthly data, since 2.35 million metric tons were imported in April, “setting a new historical monthly record,” Anaya added.
Production growth (-6.2%) during this six-year period is the lowest since 1994 and will be the lowest. In corn -8.1%, beans -20.5%, rice - 7.9% and others - 2%.
More and more imports
Regarding wheat, purchases grew 4.2% with record volume, although its value fell 20.3%. In April alone, Mexico's purchases abroad totaled 8 million tons.
Another of the products that reported record imports was beans, purchases registered a record of 169.2% higher in volume and in this case the value represented an increase of 192.6%.
Added to the above is the drastic increase in soybean oil purchases, which were 263% higher in volume and 135.9% in value.
Anaya highlighted that Mexico will be the largest importer of corn this year, surpassing China, and in the case of soybeans, our country will become the second largest buyer in the world. As for corn, the variety most imported by Mexico is the yellow grain.
He reiterated that the policy of self-sufficiency and reduction of imports “was a failure for Mexicans and Mexico. Their welfare policies failed. That is why we see problems throughout the country, with the fall in international prices, the appreciation of the exchange rate, and the increase in input costs are leading producers to the perfect storm of loss of profitability and continuing in activity. . An emerging program is required to support all producers,” he indicated.
