Mexico confronts high food insecurity and massive food waste

In Mexico, 18 % of the population lacks sufficient food, with many families surviving on a single daily meal of rice, beans or tortillas. The country produces ample crops such as maize, beans, wheat, fruits, vegetables and meat, yet economic barriers prevent many from accessing nutritious food.

Approximately 30 million tonnes of food are lost each year in Mexico—equivalent to two fully loaded trucks of food disappearing every minute. This waste represents about 2.5 % of GDP and generates roughly 9 % of global CO₂ emissions and 20 % of methane emissions. The loss undermines economic efficiency, squanders land, water, energy, labor and capital, and exacerbates the 40 million people experiencing some degree of food insecurity. Experts argue that reducing waste could significantly alleviate hunger, noting that recovering just 10 % of excess food could theoretically meet the nation’s entire food‑insecure demand.