Mexico moves from durum exporter to importer

Mexico is shifting from being a major exporter of durum to an importer of the crop in 2025-26, says an analyst. “They’re having a pretty tough growing season,” said Erica Olson, market development and research manager with the North Dakota Wheat Commission. The International Grains Council is forecasting 600,000 tonnes of production, down from 1.4 million tonnes last year and two million tonnes the year before that. The council is forecasting 50,000 tonnes of exports, down from 180,000 tonnes last year and 650,000 to 750,000 tonnes three to four years ago. “Mexico used to be a pretty large exporter of durum and that has shrunk a lot recently,” said Olson. “It’s a big deal in the sense that the situation turned real quick.” She said it is tough to say whether the future holds more of the same or if this is an anomaly. The rapid decline in exports is due to a combination of bad weather and reduced acres. At least in the short-term, the country is becoming a net importer of the crop. ...