Mexico Grapples with Grain Shortage, Seeks More Imports

Mexico's grain production continues to fall short of rising domestic demand, forcing the country to rely heavily on international imports. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Mexico is expected to import more corn, wheat, and rice in the 2026/27 marketing year due to population growth and expanding livestock production.

The USDA forecasts higher imports of these grains as domestic production remains insufficient to meet rising demand. Corn production is projected to decline nearly 2% year on year to 24.5 million tonnes, while corn imports are expected to increase more than 2% to 26.8 million tonnes due to lower production and rising demand from the livestock sector.

Total corn consumption in 2026-27 is expected to increase nearly 3% to 52.4 million tonnes, driven by increased feed demand from the livestock sector, primarily poultry and hog production. US corn remains a cornerstone of Mexico's feed grain supply due to consistent year-round availability, reliable quality, integrated logistics, and competitive pricing.