Corn Growers Urge Trade Action Against Mexico

Kansas growers want the U.S. to challenge Mexico's new ban on certain biotech corn imports under USMCA.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in International Trade

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of golden corn kernels spilling from a steel grain bin, evoking the U.S.-Mexico corn trade dispute. — The Kansas Corn Growers Association is urging the U.S. trade representative to challenge Mexico's ban on certain biotech corn imports under USMCA dispute settlement. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Kansas Corn Growers Association has called on the U.S. trade representative to start USMCA dispute settlement against Mexico. The request follows a Mexican decree, effective February 14, banning imports of biotech corn for certain purposes.

Why it matters

Mexico has been the top export market for U.S. corn in four of the past five years, and more than 90% of the U.S. corn crop is genetically modified. The dispute centers on whether Mexico's restrictions are based on sound science, as the Kansas group argues they are not.

Mexico has ranked as the top U.S. corn export market in four of the past five years, and more than 90% of the U.S. corn crop is GMO. The new decree moved the original January 31, 2024 ban to take effect February 14, and it is unclear whether Mexico will alter the measure.

The players

Kansas Corn Growers Association

A Kansas-based trade group representing corn growers that is pressing federal officials to challenge Mexico's ban.

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

The federal agency responsible for negotiating and enforcing trade agreements, including dispute settlement under the USMCA.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

The former Mexican president who initiated the original decree banning biotech corn imports in late 2020.

The details

Mexico issued a decree banning imports of biotech corn for certain purposes, while allowing continued imports of biotech corn used as animal feed. The Kansas Corn Growers Association, based in Hoxie, Kan., is asking the USTR to initiate USMCA dispute settlement over the measure.

Late 2020: President López Obrador initiated the original biotech corn import ban.
January 31, 2024: The original ban was scheduled to take effect.
February 13: Mexico issued the new decree.
February 14: The new ban took effect.

Market Dynamics

The dispute invokes the USMCA's dispute settlement mechanism, which governs how the United States and Mexico resolve trade barriers under the agreement. Mexico's biotech corn decree is the latest test of whether the agreement can resolve disputes over agricultural biotechnology.

Kansas corn producers face potential changes in export demand if Mexico's restrictions remain in place. Corn prices and farm income in the state could be affected by the outcome of any USMCA dispute.

The takeaway

Trade disputes over agricultural biotechnology can move quickly from national policy to direct effects on farm markets. Growers and investors tracking Kansas agriculture should watch whether the U.S. trade representative formally opens a USMCA case.