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Agriculture in Mexico

Agriculture in Mexico has been an important sector of the country’s economy historically and politically even though it now accounts for a very small percentage of Mexico’s GDP. Mexico is one of the cradles of agriculture with the Mesoamericans developing domesticated plants such as maize, beans, tomatoes, squash, cotton, vanilla, avocados, cacao, various kinds of spices, and more. Domestic turkeys and Muscovy ducks were the only domesticated fowl in the pre-Hispanic period and small dogs were raised for food. There were no large domesticated animals.

See also: Land reform in Mexico

During the early colonial period, the Spanish introduced more plants and the concept of animal husbandry, principally cattle, horses, donkeys, mules, goats and sheep, and barnyard animals such as chickens and pigs.[1] Farming from the colonial period until the Mexican Revolution was focused on large private properties. After the Revolution, these were broken up and the land redistributed. Since the latter 20th century NAFTA and economic policies have again favoured large scale commercial agricultural holdings.


Mexico’s main crops include grains such as corn and wheat, tropical fruits and various vegetables. Agricultural exports are important, especially coffee, tropical fruits and winter fruits and vegetables. Sixty percent of Mexico’s agricultural exports go to the United States.

Avocado production in Mexico

Coffee production in Mexico

Economic history of Mexico

Food security in Mexico

Irrigation in Mexico

Land reform in Mexico

Latin American economy

- agronomist that helped develop 480 wheat varieties, many of which are drought resistant

Sanjaya Rajaram

Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food

Water resources management in Mexico

North American Free Trade Agreement

of SAGARPA

Official site