July 15, 2008
 

Mexico's corn producers sign pact with suppliers to boost output

Mexican corn producers and agricultural suppliers signed a pact to streamline production processes in a bid to meet 2012 output goals set by the government, said the Agriculture Ministry on Monday.

By 2012, total national corn production is to rise by 43 percent from last year to 30 million tonnes as part of the government's plan for the nation to be self-sufficient within the next 5 years.

The Agricultural Ministry negotiated an agreement between the National Confederation of Mexican Corn Producers and Grupo CERES, a leading corporation that supplies products to key agricultural markets in Mexico.

In a press conference, Agriculture Minister Alberto Cardenas said that these measures to increase production are made with a long-term outlook in mind, as corn prices are expected to remain high.

The ministry also hopes the pact will spur research programmes and accelerate the introduction of new corn hybrids.

More than half of Mexican crops are corn, which are needed for making tortillas, a corn pancake and key staple food in Mexico. Last year, corn production accounted for 5.3 percent of Mexico's gross domestic product in agriculture.