Global rice production highlights food security and economic impact

October 31 marks International Rice Day, a date established by the United Nations to recognize the strategic role of rice in global food security. The cereal serves as a primary energy source for more than 3.5 billion people and plays a vital role in the economic stability and cultural identity of diverse communities worldwide.

In Mexico, the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development reported a 17.3 percent increase in national rice production for 2025, reaching 257,480 tons compared to 219,587 tons in 2024. The value of this production also rose by 12.5 percent, totaling 1,463 million pesos. This growth was driven by a 28.4 percent increase in cultivated land, which expanded to 40,250 hectares.

Mexican production is concentrated in three main states: Nayarit, Campeche, and Michoacán, which together account for nearly 70 percent of the national total. Specifically, Campeche saw a significant surge in activity, with its production volume increasing by 134.8 percent due to strategic agricultural planning.