Mexico imported agricultural products from the United States worth 26,555 million dollars in 2021, an increase of 40% year-on-year and a record, according to data from the Department of Agriculture of that country.
In 2021, Mexico ranked as the number one market for U.S. dairy, meat and poultry products, wheat, distillers grains, sugar and sweeteners, grains and milled products, animal fats, rice, eggs and legumes .
To buy another way: Mexican purchases of US agricultural products climbed 31.6% in 2021 compared to 2019, the year before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Driven in part by rising prices, Mexican corn imports from the United States totaled $4.717 billion, 76% higher than in 2020.
For its part, the corresponding imports of soybeans climbed 42%, to 2,669 million dollars, and those of wheat rose 66%, to 1,294 million.
Mexico was also the second largest market in the United States in 2021 for corn, soybeans, soy flour, food preparations, fresh fruits, processed vegetables, “bakery products, cereals and pasta”, condiments and sauces, vegetable oils, chocolate products and cocoa, fresh vegetables, non-alcoholic beverages, processed fruits, live animals, dog and cat food, nursery products and cut flowers, and confectionery.
Regarding the livestock sector, purchases of pork meat stood out, increasing 45%, to 1,675 million dollars. In another outstanding item, Mexico imported dairy products for 1,800 million dollars, a growth of 28% year-on-year.
During 2021, dairy exports from the United States to Mexico reached an all-time high in volume, which in the case of cheese exceeded the volume record previously set in 2020.
Cheese exports from the United States are crucial for Mexico’s retail, processing, and Hotels, Restaurants, and Institutional Services segment, because domestic production can only meet 66% of domestic demand.
In 2020, dairy products started to get more expensive and sustained that value increase in 2021, helping to set notable value records for U.S. skim milk powder ($962 million), cheese ($262 million), ice cream (58 million) and others.
Record in value and quantity
According to the Department of Agriculture, trade between Mexico and the United States in agricultural and related products is stronger than ever, reaching record levels in value and quantity in all categories.
In 2021, bilateral trade totaled 66 billion dollars, with a notable decrease in the trade deficit of 15%, to 13 billion.
The segment of pork and pork products reached Mexican imports of 1,700 million dollars.
In particular, US pork exports to Mexico had record values and volumes in fresh, chilled and frozen cuts, including edible offal ($158 million).
In turn, hams and cuts ($465 million) for processing reached a record in 2020, although they decreased slightly in 2021.
Pork is the second most consumed source of animal protein in Mexico, where production does not meet national demand and imports are required to fill the gap.
Mexico was also the second largest market in the United States in 2021 for products such as corn, soybeans, soy flour, food preparations, fresh fruits and processed vegetables.