Background on Julio Berdegué and His Relevance
Julio Berdegué, the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, has emerged as a key figure in addressing the ongoing crisis facing Mexican farmers. His recent actions aim to ensure the profitability and security of producers, particularly those growing white corn in Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacán.
The Announced Measures
Following a meeting at the Secretariat of Government, Berdegué announced a series of actions to alleviate the situation for white corn producers. The plan includes setting a price of 6,050 pesos per tonne for white corn in the mentioned states, a 25% increase over international market prices.
- Credit with an 8.5% annual interest rate: This financial support aims to help producers manage their operations.
- Agricultural insurance support: This ensures producers are protected against unforeseen circumstances.
- Registration ventures for producers: This facilitates access to government support programs.
- State government commitment: They will complement the federal support to bolster the producers’ situation.
Underlying Issues and Farmer Concerns
Despite these measures, farmers from over 20 Mexican states have mobilized to highlight the severity of the crisis and the inadequacy of partial solutions.
- Rising production costs: According to the Grupo de Consultores de Mercados Agrícolas (GCMA), production costs have surged by more than 46% in five years.
- Declining international grain prices: Essential grain prices have dropped between 30% and 50% since 2022.
- Shrinking profit margins: The national average margin for white corn plummeted from 50% in 2022 to a concerning 12% in 2025.
Moreover, the disappearance of instruments like Ingreso Objetivo, Agricultura por Contrato, and price coverage schemes has left producers vulnerable to international market volatility.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Julio Berdegué? Julio Berdegué is the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, who has taken significant steps to address the challenges faced by Mexican farmers.
- What measures has Berdegué announced? He has set a price of 6,050 pesos per tonne for white corn in Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Michoacán, provided credit with an 8.5% interest rate, ensured agricultural insurance support, opened registration ventures for producers, and committed state governments to complement federal support.
- Why are farmers still concerned? Despite these measures, production costs have risen by over 46% in five years, international grain prices have dropped significantly since 2022, and profit margins for white corn have shrunk from 50% in 2022 to 12% in 2025. Additionally, the absence of instruments like Ingreso Objetivo and Agricultura por Contrato has exposed producers to international market volatility.
