Grain shippingU.S. food and agriculture exports to Mexico rose by 7% in 2024, reaching $30 billion. Mexico surpassed China as the largest U.S. ag export customer. China now falls to third place behind Canada.

Mexico imported a record 24.5 million metric tons of U.S. corn. This represents 40% of total U.S. corn exports. It is mainly due to domestic drought impacting Mexican crops. Mexico and Canada together accounted for one-third of the $173 billion in total U.S. food and ag exports. Forecasts predict a repeat in 2025.

Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum introduced a food sovereignty plan that aims to increase domestic production of non-genetically engineered white corn and beans. This shift has raised uncertainty over U.S. corn exports. Mexico is considering a constitutional ban on genetically engineered corn for human consumption. Despite potential legal changes, demand for U.S. corn remains strong.

Read more about U.S. agriculture exports here.