Agriculture
From The Report: Mexico 2017
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Following 10 years of growth roughly on par with that of the overall economy, Mexico’s agriculture sector outstripped GDP growth by 1.2 percentage points in 2016 and registered a trade surplus for the second year running. Given the uncertainty over future US trade policy, there has rarely been a more urgent or ripe time to address the needs of Mexico’s agriculture industry. In the short term, diversification of export markets and of imports from the US can mitigate the impact of a potential, if unlikely, tariff hike. In the long run, however, the right kind of investment could help unlock agricultural potential. This chapter features interviews with José Calzada Rovirosa, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food; and Gaston Mauvezin, CEO, Proteak.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Fertile ground: Mechanisation and targeted investments help boost exports and improve food security
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Following 10 years of growth roughly on par with that of the overall economy, Mexico’s agriculture sector outstripped GDP growth by 1.2 percentage points in 2016 and registered a trade surplus for the second year running. As a share of GDP it declined only slightly over 2006-15 from 3.2% to 3%, and then grew in 2016 by 3.5% compared to national GDP growth of 2.3%. This strong performance saw its trade surplus nearly triple, part of a trade balance shift in which the sector went from a deficit…

Interview

Towards greater maturity: José Calzada Rovirosa, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, on sector growth and objectives
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Interview:José Calzada Rovirosa Which specific factors have contributed to the resilience of Mexico’s agriculture sector? JOSE CALZADA ROVIROSA: The agriculture sector in Mexico was the most dynamic of the economy in 2016, rising by 3.5% to $88.3bn, and there is an even more positive outlook for 2017. This is all possible thanks to the drive towards modernisation we have seen over recent years. Mexico has evolved from a subsistence agricultural economy to one that is much more sophisticated…

Analysis

On the up: Exports of food products are growing and diversifying
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The Mexican agriculture for export segment closed 2016 with a rare trade surplus and with exports up 13.7% for a value of $14.74bn. This meant it surpassed both tourism and oil as a source of foreign revenues and also overtook Canada to become the top exporter of agricultural goods to the US. A range of products from raspberries to pork showed significant growth and demonstrated the diversity of Mexican offerings. Despite uncertainty over future US trade policy, development of new agricultural projects…

Interview

Progressive industry: Gaston Mauvezin, CEO, Proteak, on the domestic forestry industry, sustainable development and economic growth
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Interview:Gaston Mauvezin How does Mexico’s forestry industry compare to other countries in the region? GASTON MAUVEZIN: The trade deficit has been a long-term issue in the Mexican forestry industry. As the country has continued to grow we have failed to sufficiently invest, and this gap has been steadily widening over the years. Other Latin American countries with fewer natural resources than Mexico, such as Uruguay, Peru and Chile, have strategically developed their forestry sectors,…