U.S. farmers say they can meet Mexico’s needs for non-GMO corn

Mexico plans to contract with farmers in the U.S., Argentina, and Brazil to buy non-GMO yellow corn as the country moves closer to its scheduled ban of genetically modified corn in 2024, according to the country’s deputy agriculture minister, Victor Suárez.

Mexico to increase non-GMO corn production by 6 million tons

In an interview with Reuters, Suárez said Mexico is on schedule to cut its U.S. imports of yellow corn, used primarily for animal feed, by nearly half. The government is working to make agreements with the country’s corn growers to increase yellow corn production to 6 million tons.

“We do believe that we will achieve it,” Suárez said.

Mexico currently imports some 17 million tons of U.S. corn each year, most of it is yellow GMO corn.

Mexico is relying on its small- and medium-scale farmers who show significant growth potential in their yields per acre, Suárez says.

To make up the other 50%, Suárez says Mexico will look to contract with farmers in other countries, including the U.S., to grow non-GMO corn.

Last year, The Organic & Non-GMO Report described how U.S. farmers and grain suppliers said they can meet Mexico’s need for non-GMO corn.

Ken Dallmier, CEO of Clarkson Grain, an Illinois-based supplier of organic and non-GMO grains, said that the U.S. could supply Mexico with all the non-GMO corn it needs.

“Given time and focus, I think it’s completely feasible,” he said. “Mexico is a key trading partner, and all the logistics of Mexican grain import come through the U.S. It’s matter of planning and market.”