File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada says will join as third party in U.S.-Mexico corn dispute

Mexico's measures 'not scientifically supported,' ministers say

Reuters — Canada said Friday it will participate as a third party in dispute settlement proceedings between the U.S. and Mexico regarding genetically modified (GM) corn in imported tortillas and dough, citing concerns about Mexico’s stance on the matter. The decision follows Washington’s request for a dispute settlement panel through the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which […] Read more

File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. escalates Mexico corn trade spat with dispute panel request

Canada 'considering its next steps'

Washington | Reuters — The United States on Thursday escalated its objections to Mexico’s curbs on genetically modified corn imports, requesting a dispute settlement panel under the North American trade pact, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said. The request to send the dispute to arbitrators was announced after formal consultations failed to resolve deep divisions […] Read more


CBOT November 2023 soybeans with 20-, 50- and 100-day moving averages. (Barchart)

U.S. grains: Soybeans advance on hot, dry forecast

Corn overcomes pressure over Mexico spat

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures approached a two-week high on Thursday on concerns that hot, dry weather in forecasts could reduce the upcoming U.S. harvest. The U.S. has little room for crop losses due to unfavourable weather because the government already projects tight soybean supplies, analysts said. Some worries over […] Read more

File photo of a view near the Canadian end of the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor and Detroit and is considered one of North America’s busiest trade routes. (Steven_Kriemadis/iStock/Getty Images)

NAFTA meeting to skirt major disputes, U.S. trade rep says

Dairy, corn, energy issues to be discussed via separate channels

Washington | Reuters — U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s meetings with North American trade partners Canada and Mexico this week will not delve deeply into major disputes over Mexico’s biotech corn and energy policies nor Canadian dairy access, a senior USTR official said on Wednesday. The annual meeting of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Free Trade […] Read more


Photo: File

Mexican president moves to prioritize domestic corn for tortillas

Mexico is embroiled in a dispute with the U.S. over decree to limit use of GM corn

Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico’s president announced on Monday he will sign an agreement this week with makers of the country’s food staple tortillas that ensures they only use non-genetically modified (GM) white corn while also setting new tariffs on imports of the grain. Tariffs on white corn imports from countries that do not […] Read more

File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada gets in on U.S. trade challenge of Mexico’s GM corn ban

Canada to have third party role in CUSMA dispute consultations

A U.S. challenge under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement (CUSMA), against Mexico’s planned ban on genetically modified corn, will now also have Canada at the table. Rob Stewart, Canada’s deputy minister for international trade, wrote Friday to U.S. and Mexican trade officials, formally announcing Canada’s intent to take part in the CUSMA dispute settlement consultations […] Read more


File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. escalates dispute with Mexico over GM corn

Canada 'considering next steps'

Mexico City | Reuters — The U.S. is escalating its conflict with Mexico over agriculture biotech measures, including the stance on genetically modified (GM) corn, by requesting dispute settlement consultations, senior officials of the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said on Friday. The North American neighbours are inching closer to a full-blown trade dispute under the […] Read more

Market Intelligence Update from Canada Beef: Inflation pushes Mexican households to buy more processed meats

Market Intelligence Update from Canada Beef: Inflation pushes Mexican households to buy more processed meats

Mexican households are shifting to processed meats such as ham and sausages due to the loss of purchasing power and the higher prices of beef, pork and chicken. Consumption of processed meats has increased in the last two years despite the price rise of 10 to 16 per cent registered from 2022 to 2023.  Mexico’s […] Read more


Corn in progress just east of Blumenort, Man. on July 20, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

After growing GM corn for decades, some U.S. farmers open to Mexican restrictions

Biden administration seeks to challenge ban

Chicago | Reuters — Mexico has found unexpected allies as it tries to limit imports of genetically modified (GM) corn: some U.S. farmers who grow the crops. Farmers have for decades planted GM corn, which protects against insects and herbicides, with seeds sold by companies such as Bayer, Corteva and ChemChina’s Syngenta. But as believers […] Read more

Corn in progress just east of Blumenort, Man. on July 20, 2022. (Dave Bedard photo)

Canada reported seeking formal talks with Mexico on GMO rule

U.S. already seeking similar talks

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada has asked for formal consultations with Mexico over its restrictions on genetically modified (GM) agricultural imports under the North American free-trade agreement, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Canada requested the talks on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, a day after the U.S. requested formal trade consultations […] Read more