Why This is Important to Wisconsin: Wisconsin suppliers might provide high-quality animal feed or grains to producers in Mexico
Mexico is one of the top five animal feed producers in the world, and the market continues to grow.
In 2023, Mexico produced more than 44 tons of animal feed, the vast majority for livestock and a rapidly growing portion for pet food, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Victor Villalobos Arámbula said.
In a presentation to the National Council of Manufacturers of Balanced Feed and Animal Nutrition (CONAFAB) in May 2024, Villalobos Arámbula reaffirmed the government’s collaboration with CONAFAB to ensure the health and welfare of both livestock and pets. He said Mexico is establishing a new designation, Reliable Manufacturer of Quality Balanced Feed, as a further indicator of trust in the industry.
CONAFAB represents 180 companies that produce 60% of the commercial animal feed in Mexico.
In addition to its strong animal feed manufacturing sector, Mexico ranks 10th globally in livestock production. With an estimated herd of 686 million cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, livestock production supports 841,000 families and yields more than 8 million tons of meat and 3 million tons of eggs for human consumption, the government said.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Global Agricultural Information Network, Mexico’s imports of corn for the 2023-24 fiscal year are projected to be 5% higher than the previous year to meet increasing demand for starch and animal feed production. Wheat imports are also expected to rise.
The U.S. is the largest source of Mexico’s grain imports. Wisconsin agricultural suppliers as well as companies in the animal feed sector may find increased opportunities to participate in that market.
