According to USDA’s Export Sales Report, as of March 20, 2014, accumulated exports of U.S. corn to Mexico are 5.5 million metric tons (216.5 million bushels), more than 3.3 million tons (131 million bushels) greater than at the same time last year. For perspective, Mexico only imported 4.5 million tons (177 million bushels) of U.S. corn for the 2012/2013 marketing year than began on Sept. 1, 2012. This dramatic turnaround is due to an abundant U.S. corn crop harvested in 2013, which allowed for U.S. corn to be competitively priced in the export market.

The 2012/2013 corn marketing year that began on Sept. 1, 2012, was marked by a tight supply of U.S. corn due to a severe drought in large part of the U.S. Corn Belt. Some top markets, including Mexico, were forced to diversify sourcing to meet demand. During 2013, Mexico imported approximately 609,000 tons (24 million bushels) of corn from Argentina and Brazil.

However, despite the availability of South American origin corn, the United States is still the preferred long-term reliable supplier of corn. The U.S. Grains Council helps bolster this reputation by providing yearly Corn Harvest and Export Cargo Quality Reports that evaluate the U.S. corn crop at harvest and again at the export channel.

Mexican grain traders confirmed their preference for U.S. corn by stating they anticipate a slight increase in corn imports compared to imports in the 2011/2012 marketing year, which was a more normal corn importing year than 2012/2013. The traders have indicated the only difference this year is the lack of competition from other suppliers such as Argentina and Brazil.

However, later this year, a projected large Mexican corn crop could dampen the rate of corn exports to Mexico. There could be a slowdown in the volume of U.S. corn imported when Mexico’s corn crop is harvested, but for now the Mexican market is demonstrating its longstanding preference for U.S. corn.