World Trade Month: Corn’s Top Markets, Mexico

The export of corn and corn products is vital to the nation’s economy, and NCGA has a deeply rooted policy that works to eliminate barriers to trade and support market development. Exports of U.S. corn and co-products provide critical support across the economy, offering billions in direct and indirect economic benefits to farmers, rural communities and the nation.

This month, NCGA is celebrating World Trade Month by highlighting the top export markets for U.S. corn.

Mexico is the top buyer of U.S. corn, U.S. DDGs and U.S. barley. American corn farmers exported more than 16 million metric tons (MT) of corn and more than 2 million MT of DDGS to Mexico during the September 1, 2018 - August 31, 2019 marketing year.

Mexico is one of the most important and loyal buyers of U.S. feed grains. Access to affordable grains and reliable shipments from the United States has helped Mexican swine, poultry and beef industries grow, accompanied by increasing imports of U.S. corn, sorghum and DDGS.

Since NAFTA, U.S. exports to Mexico have quintupled and, with the recent ratification of the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), this successful trading relationship is poised to continue well into the future.

Mexico remains a critical market for the entire U.S. grain industry with increasing feed demand due to a growing population and migration shift toward the major cities. Due to close geographic proximity and duty-free access, this growth in demand will benefit U.S. exporters and Mexican consumers.

You can learn more about our international trade and our trading relationship with Mexico by visiting NCGA’s partners, the U.S. Grains Council.