Mexico sugar exports to United States set to surge in 2026‑27 season

The U.S. Department of Agriculture raised its forecast for Mexican sugar imports in the 2026‑27 marketing year to 1.35 million short tons, up from 1.05 million short tons projected for the previous cycle. The increase represents a more than 500% jump from earlier estimates and would give Mexico a major outlet for its sugar, which has struggled with low domestic prices and limited market access.

Mexico’s government says the change follows months of bilateral talks, citing President Claudia Sheinbaum’s welcome of the revised U.S. estimate. Industry leaders, including Carlos Blackaller of the main cane producers’ group, expect the larger quota to lift cane prices, add up to 4.76 billion pesos to payments to roughly 170 000 cane growers, and sustain an agro‑industry that supports over 500 000 direct jobs and benefits more than 2.4 million people in rural communities. The export boost is tied to a 2014‑2017 suspension agreement that suspends anti‑dumping duties in exchange for export caps and minimum price guarantees.