Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a new agriculture plan aimed at reviving the country’s food production and distribution systems to resemble those of the 1980s. This initiative focuses on staples such as tortillas, beans, instant coffee and hot chocolate, which were commonly purchased from government stores offering basic goods. Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of “food sovereignty,” with a primary goal of increasing domestic bean and corn production.
Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué outlined plans to guarantee prices for corn farmers to stabilize tortilla prices, which have surged in recent years. The government aims to increase bean production by 30% over six years to reduce imports and plans to establish research centers for higher-yielding bean seeds. The plan also includes support for coffee production, focusing on instant coffee, which is reportedly used by 84% of Mexican households. Additionally, it seeks to bolster cocoa production for powdered baking and hot chocolate rather than fine chocolate bars.
Bean consumption has significantly declined, with Mexicans now consuming less than half the amount they did in 1980. Tortilla consumption has also decreased, with many consumers opting for bread and other bakery products. The policy challenges include shifting consumer habits and addressing market trends favoring high-value chocolate varieties over cheaper alternatives. Although instant coffee remains a staple in many households, consumer spending trends favor other coffee types.
Sheinbaum’s policies reflect a continuation of her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s focus on self-sufficiency in oil, energy and foodstuffs.
