Producers warn of crisis in Mexican agriculture ahead of annual USMCA review

The National Union of Agricultural Workers (UNTA) warned this Thursday that Mexico faces a “complex and challenging” agri-food landscape in 2026 due to the annual review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Which is creating uncertainty for small and medium-sized producers.

In a statement, Álvaro López Ríos, UNTA’s general secretary, indicated that the sector is on edge due to pressure from the United States to reduce its agricultural trade deficit. As well as the intention to tighten regulations, rules of origin, and phytosanitary measures.

The USMCA review formally began on July 1, when the three trading partners initiated the process stipulated in the agreement itself to evaluate its performance six years after its entry into force.

Mexico and Canada contend that the mechanism should promote North American economic integration and create more certainty for trade and investment. Notwithstanding the United States’ rejection of an automatic extension of the pact.

UNTA claims that small and medium-sized producers of basic grains are directly impacted by the United States’ refusal to extend the trade agreement’s automatic validity for 16 years. This is because it prevents private financing and prolongs the situation of low prices brought on by the enormous influx of foreign food.

This trade vulnerability coincides with a downward trend in domestic corn production that has persisted since 2016. A situation that contrasts sharply with the steady increase in domestic consumption driven primarily by the burgeoning demand from the livestock and food industries.

According to data from Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM), the country imported 19.93 million tons of grains and oilseeds during the first five months of 2016, making it the second-highest volume for a January-to-May period on record.