Mexico

Food and land use context in Mexico

With its varied climates and ecosystems, Mexico is a megadiverse country boasting more than a tenth of the world’s biodiversity. One third of the land is covered by forests—temperate and tropical—while other lands include mountains, arid areas, and semiarid scrubland. The country’s wide biodiversity is also reflected in the variety of food that originates from Mexico, such as avocado, corn, and vanilla. The country has many reserves and parks aimed at protecting the natural areas. However, agriculture expansion, pollution, and degradation of natural lands threaten the ecosystems and land’s sustainability, contributing to the endangerment of 2,600 species in Mexico. Agriculture is still widely practiced within small family or community farms which produce fruits and vegetables, corn, coffee, meat and dairy amongst others, with a majority of Mexican food exports intended for the United States. Despite a rich culinary heritage, Mexico’s current diet is based on ultra-processed food and contributes to high rates of overweight and obesity. The government took steps to reduce malnutrition by implementing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and developing guidelines concerning the sale of food and beverages in schools.

Key Contacts

Ambassadors in Mexico