According to the latest report released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico, in the first 10 months of 2022, Mexico's agricultural product exports reached a record high, reaching US $41.602 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13.88%. During the same period, Mexico's agricultural trade surplus was 5.77 billion US dollars, at a high level in recent years. The Mexican government has continuously increased investment in agriculture, not only ensuring a stable supply of domestic agricultural products, but also becoming an important global exporter of agricultural products.
As a populous country in Latin America, Mexico attaches great importance to developing agriculture. In recent years, the country has established new agricultural bases in the northern and central and western regions, planting agricultural products such as avocados, blackberries, strawberries, tomatoes, wheat, corn, and sorghum on a large-scale basis to meet domestic and foreign market demands. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico, in 2021, Mexico became the seventh largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, with agricultural products sold to 192 countries and regions worldwide. Avocados and tomatoes are the main agricultural products for export, with total exports reaching US $2.5 billion and US $1.7 billion respectively in the first eight months of 2022. According to the agricultural outlook report jointly issued by the OECD and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Mexico's avocado exports are expected to reach 2.5 million tons by 2030, accounting for 63% of global exports.
Although Mexico is a major agricultural country, soil degradation in Mexico is relatively serious. Statistics show that 64% of the country's land has experienced some degree of degradation due to factors such as persistent drought. To this end, Mexico has introduced the National Soil Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture, promoted the formulation of the General Land Law, and established a national land development commission to coordinate and solve the problem of soil degradation at the national level. By promoting protective agriculture throughout the country, reducing soil damage and increasing the coverage of organic matter on the soil, the fertility of the soil has gradually improved, and crop yields have been improved.
In order to continuously stimulate the growth potential of the agricultural sector and transform agricultural products into more competitive export products, the Mexican government has formulated six measures to promote agricultural production. Including providing financial support and favoring small and medium-sized farmers; Increase investment in the biological field and provide high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other products and services; Improve the system of technical support and professional assistance, promote the transformation of agricultural technological achievements, and improve agricultural productivity; Create micro, medium and small agricultural companies, establish local production networks, help small and medium-sized farmers join the value chain, and improve the economy of rural areas; Strengthen inspection and quarantine work and establish a healthy and sustainable agricultural product system; Allow local governments to take measures to ensure the continuous supply and redistribution of agricultural products, and promote the diversified development of the market.
According to the budget released by the Mexican government, the budget allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2023 increased from 55 billion pesos (about 2.8 pesos per yuan) to 70 billion pesos, a year-on-year increase of 27%. It is mainly used to stabilize the cultivation of basic grains such as rice, beans, corn, and wheat, and increase the income of small and medium-sized farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico estimates that the national food production is expected to reach 294 million tons in 2023.
