The incoming government in Mexico will discard a key goal of the previous administration to reduce yellow corn imports and achieve self-sufficiency in yellow corn production.
Investing Dot Com says the incoming ag minister, Julio Berdegue, says Mexico will focus on maintaining self-sufficiency in the white corn that’s commonly used in tortillas, a Mexican dietary staple. The policy of former president Lopez Obrador aimed to dramatically reduce the imports of yellow corn, most of which comes from the U.S, and boost local production instead. Lopez Obrador wanted to limit the use of genetically modified corn, sparking a trade dispute with the U.S.
“Our objective is not to reduce imports but to produce more,” says Berdegue. “Our goal in this six-year term is not self-sufficiency in yellow corn.” Mexico’s appetite for meat is growing, leading to an increasing demand for corn in the livestock sector, and will mean large imports of yellow corn.