In Mexico, there is a significant disparity in tortilla prices across different regions. In Xalapa, Veracruz, a kilo costs 15.75 pesos, one of the lowest prices. In the metropolitan areas of Puebla and Tlaxcala, the prices are 16.50 and 17 pesos, respectively. In Mexico City and its metropolitan area, the price per kilo ranges from 21.27 to 21.72 pesos, which is below the national average, making this region one of the most affordable. In other major cities, prices are higher: 25.38 pesos in Monterrey, 26.23 pesos in Guadalajara, and 29.20 pesos in Cancún. Producers are against imposing a 'price cap' on tortillas. The Sheinbaum government is promoting a program to regulate corn production to bring the grain closer to marketers. However, this scheme was questioned by Álvaro López Ríos, the general secretary of the National Union of Agricultural Workers (UNTA). The executive stated there is a 'collusion' between the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum and the companies Maseca, Minsa, and Harimasa to impose low prices on producers while keeping costs high in the rest of the supply chain. He argued that these companies have significant market power by participating not only in grain transformation but also in financing, infrastructure, marketing, and operations in physical and futures markets, allowing them to influence price formation both nationally and internationally. 'They dominate the market because they intervene in financing; they have taken over infrastructure; they have first-hand information on supply and demand, and they participate in physical and futures purchases,' he warned. The UNTA's general secretary demanded the creation of a direct purchase model for agricultural producers to reduce dependence on global markets and limit sector concentration. He announced that UNTA will join mobilizations in the Mexicali Valley and the south of Sonora, Sinaloa, and the Bajío, among other regions, to advocate for better conditions for basic grain producers. According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Mexico imported 3.95 million tons of corn between January and February 2026, an 11% increase compared to the same period the previous year, an unprecedented level for the start of the year. This commercial flow implies annual spending exceeding 5 billion dollars, which, according to UNTA, could be directed towards the technological modernization of Mexican agriculture. The price per kilo of tortilla has caused a 'clash' between Claudia Sheinbaum, who says there are no reasons for a price increase, and producers who claim the president of Mexico does not have complete information about the problem. But how much does a kilo of tortilla cost in Mexico? A review by El Financiero found a marked regional disparity, with a price difference of up to 17 pesos between the highest and lowest prices. As of April 13, data from the National System of Market Information and Integration (SNIIM) shows the national average price for tortilla is 24.18 pesos per kilo, with virtually no variation from the beginning of the month. Which states have the most expensive tortilla? The most expensive tortilla in Mexico is sold in Mexicali, Baja California, at 33.29 pesos per kilo. It is followed by Hermosillo, Sonora, at 32.17 pesos; San Luis Río Colorado at 31.83 pesos; and Nogales at 31 pesos. In contrast, the lowest tortilla prices are in the central and southeastern regions.
Sharp Rise in Corn Prices in Mexico
A significant price disparity for corn has been recorded across Mexico. Producers are opposing government policies, accusing large corporations of collusion and setting unfair prices. Meanwhile, the country has reached a record level of imports.
