USDA notes shifts in Mexican corn

Corn production in Mexico is projected to increase 6.5 per cent in 2025/26, the United States Department of Agriculture attaché in Mexico City reported. Meanwhile, the country’s imports are expected to dip 1.4 per cent.

The attaché forecast Mexico’s total corn output at 24.50 million tonnes in 2025/26, up from 23 million the previous year. Yields were forecast to improve to 3.77 tonnes per hectare, versus 3.59 t/ha. in 2024/25. Area harvested is set to nudge up 100,000 hectares in 2025/26 at 6.50 million.

The Mexico City desk credited the production increase to improving conditions from last year’s drought, higher prices for white corn and expectations of more favourable weather conditions. However, the attaché said ongoing irrigation issues in the country’s northwest, farmers switching to horticultural products and security problems have combined to limit the production increase.

Mexico grows two corn crops per year, with planting of the much larger summer crop during April to August followed by the harvest from October to January. The second crop, with accounts for about 30 per cent of output, is seeded from November to January and harvested from April to July.

With imports set to ease back to 24.80 million tonnes, Mexico’s total supply is projected to reach 55.06 million when including ending stocks of 5.76 million tonnes. About 90 per cent of Mexico’s corn imports are from the U.S.

Total consumption for 2025/26 was estimated at 49.50 million tonnes, with 56.6 per cent for feed and residual and 43.4 per cent to food, seed and industrial use, plus a very small amount of exports.

Ending stocks are projected to slip to 5.54 million tonnes from 5.76 million in 2024/25.

Tags: consumption, Mexico, corn, ending stocks, Production, yields, imports