Mexico signals it may ease US corn import ban

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he would soften his stance on the US corn ban in the future, amid pressure from the US government.

On Tuesday, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, also known as AMLO, said he was considering allowing imports of genetically modified yellow corn for livestock feed. This marks a change in tone from the Mexican government, as it previously made plans to phase-down GMO corn by early 2024.

At a morning press conference on Tuesday, the President of Mexico said there is a certain level of pressure from both foreign governments and foreign companies. According to AMLO, most of the corn imported from the US to Mexico is yellow corn. Yellow corn is used exclusively for livestock feed. Mexico, on the other hand, grows white corn, which is used for human consumption.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue to negotiate with Mexican officials, the spokesman said. The spokesman also recalled the critical importance of maintaining bilateral trade relations.

US officials have repeatedly raised concerns about the yellow corn import ban at a number of meetings in the last few months. For instance, at a meeting between US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and her Mexican counterpart in early November.

A ban on yellow corn imports could drive up food prices in Mexico, which is already suffering from high food inflation. At the moment, food inflation in Mexico is 14%, the highest it’s been in more than two decades.