WINNIPEG — For years, China was the number one destination for U.S. agricultural exports.
No more.
Mexico took the crown in 2024, as it became the most important market for U.S. corn, soy, pork, poultry and other products.
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Last year, America shipped US$30.3 billion worth of agricultural products to Mexico, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Canada was the No. 2 market for American ag exports, at $28.4 billion. China was third at $24.7 billion.
Breaking it down by state, Mexico has become the most important agricultural market for states in the middle of America, said Matt Erickson, an agriculture economic and policy adviser for Farm Credit.
“If you look at 2024 data and you look at Mexico, the top three ag exports were corn, soybeans and pork,” said Erickson, who spoke at the Commodity Classic trade show in Denver March 4.
“You can see for these products … that the top export destinations for a lot of these midwestern states are becoming Mexico.”
Erickson put an American map on the screen in Denver with numbers about ag exports. It showed that every state in the centre of America — from the Dakotas to Texas (with the exception of Oklahoma) — shipped the largest percentage of its agricultural products to Mexico in 2024.
Even North Dakota, which is on the Canadian border, exported more agricultural products to Mexico than to Canada.
The explanation? Corn.
Mexico is the most valuable market for American corn, says U.S. Department of Agriculture data from 2024:
- American corn exports were US $13.9 billion.
- $5.62 billion went to Mexico.
- Canada received $449 million.
For soybeans, the U.S. sent $2.3 billion to Mexico last year, the No. 3 market.
Canada wasn’t in the top 10.
Canada is more important for western and northeastern states.
The USDA data indicates that Canada is the largest export market for agricultural products from California, Idaho, Montana and other states in the west. As well, Canada is a critical ag market for Michigan, Florida and states in New England.
What this data means for a trade war is anyone’s guess.
However, Mexico is an essential market for farmers in America’s heartland, which comprises Republican states.
Canada is significant for farmers in California and the northeast, where voters traditionally support Democrats.
Contact robert.arnason@producer.com
