December 20, 2007

Mexico's 2007 corn output seen up at 23.7 million tonnes

Mexican Agriculture Minister Alberto Cardenas Wednesday said the country's corn production this year will be between 23.6 million and 23.7 million tonnes, up from 22 million tonnes in 2006.

With the additional production, Mexico will lower by about 1 million tonnes its imports of yellow corn, which were about 10 million tonnes in 2006, Cardenas said at a press conference. Mexico produces mostly white corn.

Cardenas said the government expects productivity gains in coming years to further boost corn production, with the aim of reaching 28 million to 29 million tonnes a year by 2012.