The Government of Mexico announced that on Wednesday it reached an agreement with corn producers from the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, and Michoacán, which will put an end to the extensive blockades in parts of the country due to farmer protests over the fall in international grain prices. During the presidential press conference, the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), Julio Berdegué, informed that the pact includes a support of 950 pesos per ton of corn for producers in that region, with joint contributions from the Federation and state governments. "Around two in the morning, we managed to reach an agreement with the local leadership of producers," the official stated. Berdegué detailed that the federal government will contribute 800 pesos per ton and the states 150 pesos, aiming to "support about 90,000 producers of up to 20 hectares, who represent nearly 98% of the producers in the Bajío (the region)". Berdegué explained that the context of the protests is due to a 21% drop in international corn prices due to a global oversupply. "We have a record stock of 1.3 billion tons in the world, and Mexico is no exception: this year we will have a very large harvest, even more than double that of last year," he indicated. As part of the agreement, the federal government announced the creation of the Mexican System for Market Regulation and Corn Marketing, with the aim of reducing uncertainty for farmers and establishing reference prices. "We cannot continue in the country with a product as fundamental as corn without knowing at what price it will be sold at the time of harvest," affirmed Berdegué, who highlighted that the new system will promote direct agreements between producers and industry. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the agreement and emphasized that the support will be "direct to the producer", with a maximum of 200 tons per beneficiary. "A large part of the corn from the Bajío is bought by large flour milling companies, which have been asked for months to pay a higher price than the one set internationally," Sheinbaum added. Sheinbaum mentioned that the new system will also include small producers and nixtamaleros (corn dough makers), and informed that in 2026 an additional support will be presented for those who plant native corn, with the objective of "conserving the biodiversity and cultural wealth of Mexico". Berdegué confirmed that, after the signing of the minutes, the road blockades in the region began to be lifted early Wednesday. The agreement comes after a series of mobilizations by corn producers and farmers in the country, who on Monday and Tuesday blocked roads in several states to demand the Government set a minimum corn price of 7,200 pesos. On Monday, Mexican authorities offered to set that price at 6,050 pesos; however, farmers and producers rejected it, calling it a "mockery" and an "insult to the Mexican countryside".
