GMO corn ban in Mexico - price surge for basic foods

Mexican consumers and U.S. farmers may feel effects of GMO corn ban

A University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture study reveals that Mexico’s proposed ban on genetically modified (GMO) corn imports could strain low-income consumers and harm U.S. farmers.

The study, involving over 1,300 Mexican participants, highlights how this ban might increase tortilla and poultry prices, essentials for many Mexican households.

According to study author Brandon McFadden, “More than half of the people we surveyed in Mexico were not even aware of the ban, and of those who did know about it and supported it, many of them changed their opinion when they saw how much prices could go up and how many jobs could be lost.”

The ban could not only reduce affordable food sources but also lead to job losses, as estimated by a previous study suggesting that nearly 57,000 jobs could be affected.

The decree, first issued in 2020 by President López Obrador, called for a gradual ban on GMO corn for human consumption and the herbicide glyphosate by 2024, with exemptions later introduced for animal feed.

However, most of Mexico’s corn imports are from the U.S., where over 90% of corn is genetically modified. As a result, this import restriction could reduce affordable access to tortillas, impacting food security for low-income Mexicans.

Surveys indicate that respondents, especially low-income groups, are willing to pay premiums for non-GMO products, though financial strain could increase. Supporters of the ban primarily cite health and environmental concerns but might change views if food costs rise significantly.

Similar GMO restrictions in Zimbabwe and Kenya were lifted in recent years due to severe food shortages, underscoring the need for policies that balance health and food access.

Mexico’s situation could have broader implications, both domestically and for U.S. farmers reliant on export markets.