Sugar cane market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the sugar cane market in Mexico expanded, with production increasing from 56 841 thousand tons to 59 333 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by amendments to trade agreements with the United States, which raised the quota for raw sugar exports to 70% and adjusted polarization requirements, boosting demand for cane from Mexican mills. Although competition from corn-based sweeteners began to affect domestic sugar consumption, strong export orientation supported overall market volume.

A severe drought in Quintana Roo caused a significant drop in production to 53 837 thousand tons in 2020. Recovery followed in 2021, aided by the launch of the National Sugarcane Agroindustry Program (PRONAC 2021-2024), which aimed to revitalize the sector through investment and employment initiatives. This program helped lift market volume back to 55 248 thousand tons despite emerging headwinds from new front-of-package warning labels that spurred food manufacturers to reduce sugar content.

In 2022 and 2023, the market stabilized around 55 556–55 590 thousand tons. Record sugar exports, particularly to the United States, maintained demand for cane, while international certification projects like those from BONSUCRO sought to improve productivity. However, rising input costs for fertilizers and inflation pressured margins. Diversification into bioethanol production for sustainable aviation fuel opened new avenues for sugarcane use, supporting the industry’s long-term resilience without triggering further volume growth in the short term.

Production sugar cane in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Mexico was one of the world's top sugar cane producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking 6th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sugar cane, 2018-2021

World map of production of sugar cane, 2018-2021

In 2021, Mexico produced 55 248 K t of sugar cane, showing a modest 2.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production overall declined by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 53 842 K t, while the peak was in 2019 at 59 334 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2020 with a 9.3% decrease, whereas the largest gain was in 2019 with a 4.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports sugar cane from Mexico

Exports in kind, t

Mexico's cross-border shipments of sugar cane grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 4 463 t, representing a dramatic 487.2% surge compared to 2019. From 2018 to 2020, exports soared by 1089.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 128.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico's sugar cane exports in volume terms were highly concentrated, with the United States accounting for 100.0% of all shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Mexico's foreign sugar cane supplies in value terms expanded for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at 937.1 K $ US, indicating a sharp 26.0% jump from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports increased by 121.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 30.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States was the sole destination for Mexico's sugar cane exports in value terms, holding a 100.0% share of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Imports sugar cane to Mexico

Market research indicates that Mexico did not import any sugar cane from 2018 to 2021.