Mexican Corn Producers Demand Guaranteed Price Amid Crisis

During the International Agri-Food Congress 2025, dozens of corn producers from six states interrupted the event to demand government action to prevent the collapse of Mexican agriculture. The group, carrying banners and signs, warned that without intervention, the market price for corn could fall to MX$4/kg, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of producers. They indicated that failure to address their demands could lead to more radical measures, including road blockades.

Antonio Lizardi, Sector Representative, criticized the government for failing to achieve food self-sufficiency and sovereignty while the agricultural sector faces abandonment and declining prices. “We have been left at the mercy of international prices where we are not competitive; we have no crop insurance, high interest rates, climate impacts over the last five years, and now they allow the importation of transgenic white corn,” Lizardi said.

Protesters highlighted that despite the ban on planting genetically modified corn in Mexico, imports continue, generating oversupply that displaces domestic production. They called for a prohibition on importing any type of white corn, financial support if the industry fails to pay a fair price, and direct engagement with the president to present the realities of the sector.

The protest included representatives from Michoacan, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Sinaloa, and Nayarit. Ricardo Hernández, President, Sistema Producto-Maiz (Corn-Product System) in Jalisco, said the group felt abandoned by federal authorities and demanded immediate dialogue. “We are about to harvest, and we are in limbo. We want to be heard. If not, the entire country will confront the federal government,” Hernández said.

Producers presented a formal petition to Julio Berdegué, Minister of Agriculture, requesting a guaranteed price of MX$7,200/t (US$392.02/t) of commercial corn, a ban on white corn imports, financial support if prices are not honored, and a direct meeting with President Sheinbaum.

According to producer representatives, Mexico has approximately 23,000 corn farmers. While only about 50 attended the Congress to leverage the presence of federal and state authorities, the group emphasized that if their demands are ignored, broader and more disruptive actions could follow.

Tags: corn, price, Production, white corn, Mexico, agricultural sector, genetically modified corn