Introduction to Rice Production in México
Rice is the second most consumed cereal after wheat in México, with annual per capita consumption reaching 8.5kg. However, the nation’s production falls short of meeting this demand, relying heavily on imports. The latest data indicates that the national production only reached 252,000 toneladas (SIAP).
Rice Production Distribution
Rice production is concentrated in ten Mexican states, with Tamaulipas ranking seventh at 12,759 toneladas. The top three producing states are Nayarit (79,534 toneladas), Campeche (43,242 toneladas), and Michoacán (34,525 toneladas) (latest SIAP data).
Rice Cultivation in Tamaulipas
In Tamaulipas, rice cultivation is primarily focused in the municipalities of Mante and González, with 2,100 hectares in production (latest data). The Milagro Filipino variety is the most cultivated due to its grain characteristics and regional adaptation. Ciudad Mante has a rice mill that handles the entire agroindustrial process, from reception and cleaning to drying and packaging.
Tamaulipas is the leading producer of certified seed, supplying at least 50% of the nation’s producing zones (Secretaría de Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Acuicultura, Gob. Del Estado de Tamaulipas).
Challenges and FIRA’s Intervention
Recent years have seen rice production in southern Tamaulipas affected by water scarcity in local dams, impacting farmers’ willingness to plant rice. However, the implementation of a guaranteed price program has reignited farmers’ interest in rice cultivation, leading to a significant increase in planting area from 1,800 to 3,000 hectares in both municipalities. The current yield is 7 toneladas per hectare, surpassing the national average of 6 toneladas per hectare (latest SIAP data).
FIRA’s Financing Program
Through its Tampico operational office, FIRA has launched a rice financing program to provide credit access for small-scale producers, enabling primary production and the acquisition of agricultural machinery and equipment. This scheme has garnered significant interest from various financial intermediaries operating in the region.
The financing mechanism is based on FIRA’s para-financing scheme, which identifies private sector companies with a strong position in the value chain. These entities can perform activities that complement financial intermediaries’ functions, offering additional financing and services to their partners according to their corporate purpose. They participate in credit risk management, administration, and recovery.
Credit Scheme Operation in Southern Tamaulipas
In southern Tamaulipas, the rice credit scheme operates through a union of credits (Credired Uno) and Arrocera del Mante, a commercial entity with over 25 years of presence in the region. Arrocera del Mante acts as a retention agent for loan payments, providing greater certainty to participating financial intermediaries by minimizing recovery risks.
Recent Financial Support and Future Goals
During the Autumn-Winter 2024/2025 cycle, FIRA allocated 31.62 mdp in resources to benefit 112 rice producers in the area, covering 1,500 hectares.
FIRA aims to promote sustainable agricultural development, enhancing small producers’ productivity and reducing barriers to financing access (OP1). They are working on a proposal for a supplier development program, integrating small producers with the industry to meet end-consumer needs. This strategy employs financial, technological, organizational, and risk management tools to strengthen producers’ competencies and implement sustainable agricultural practices (OP2), including efficient resource use and adopting new technologies to minimize environmental impact (OP3).
About the Author
Karla Ramírez Leyva, FIRA promoter in the Tampico Agency. “The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect FIRA’s official stance.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of rice production in México? Rice is the second most consumed cereal after wheat, but México heavily relies on imports due to insufficient domestic production.
- Which states produce the most rice in México? Nayarit, Campeche, and Michoacán are the top three rice-producing states.
- What challenges does Tamaulipas face in rice cultivation? Water scarcity in local dams has negatively impacted rice production, but FIRA’s guaranteed price program has encouraged farmers to resume cultivation.
- How does FIRA support rice producers in Tamaulipas? FIRA offers a financing program through its para-financing scheme, enabling credit access for small-scale producers and the acquisition of agricultural machinery.
- What are FIRA’s future goals for agricultural development? FIRA aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices, enhance small producers’ productivity, and integrate them with the industry to meet consumer needs.
