According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Mexico retained its position as the primary exporter of fruits and vegetables worldwide in 2024, holding a 7.8 per cent market share. Mexico's vegetable exports reached 10.688 billion USD, while fruit exports were at 9.564 billion USD, culminating in a combined export value of 20.252 billion USD.
The agricultural sector, encompassing livestock, fishing, forestry, and hunting, constituted about 3.2% of Mexico's national GDP in 2024, down from 3.3% the previous year. Key fruit exports include strawberries, avocados, lemons, grapes, melons, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and bananas. In the vegetable segment, exports feature tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, and asparagus.
Globally, China ranked second in the fruit and vegetable export market in 2024, with total exports valued at 19.561 billion USD. China surpassed Mexico in vegetable exports, with a value of 12.349 billion USD, but remained behind Mexico in fruit exports, recording 7.212 billion USD.
In 2024, Mexico's agricultural sector reported 9,912 active economic units, primarily in Tabasco, Veracruz, and Oaxaca. The sector experienced a 2.3% decline in production compared to 2023. Employment figures in agriculture reached 6.2 million by the year's end, with male workers comprising 85.3% and female workers 14.7%, and an average daily wage of 402 pesos. Nearly 9.9% of the economically active population was engaged in agricultural activities.
Mexico reinforced its role as a strategic agrifood trade partner to the U.S., leading in both imports and exports of U.S. agricultural products. In 2024, beverages, fruits, and vegetables comprised approximately 60.9% of Mexico's agricultural export value.
Source: Opportimes