Maize is the most important crop grown in Mexico. In the rainfed production regions of the country, maize reached maturity in September and October. Sowing of irrigated maize started in September. Its main production region is in the Northwest. Winter wheat sowing began in November. Both soybean and rice reached maturity by the end of this reporting period.

Agro-climatic conditions showed that RAIN decreased by 19%, TEMP increased by 0.2°C, RADPAR was at the average level and BIOMSS decreased by 13%. The Cropped Arable Land Fraction (CALF) increased by 4%. According to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, overall crop growth in Mexico was slightly below average.

As shown in the spatial NDVI profiles and distribution map, the growth of crops on 22.6% of the crop land area was lower than the average level and mainly distributed in western Mexico. In October, about 1.8% of total cropped areas were far below the average level, mainly distributed in the eastern coastal areas, especially in Veracruz. This was mainly due to Hurricane "Roslin", which hit parts of the Pacific coast of Mexico. Although the intensity of the landing was reduced from level 4 to level 3, the storm still caused floods. Additionally, about 53.4% of total cropped areas were on average, mainly distributed in eastern Mexico. Only 20.1% of the total cropped areas were above average during the entire monitoring period, mainly in Sonora and Chihuahua.

In general, the agricultural situation in Mexico is close to the average level. However, due to the impact of the slight precipitation deficit, the conditions are less favorable than a year ago.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, Mexico is divided into four agro-ecological regions. They include the Arid and semi-arid region (128), Humid tropics with summer rainfall (129), Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains (130) and Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains (131). Regional analyses of crop conditions provide more details for the production situation in Mexico.

The Arid and semi-arid region, located in northern and central Mexico, accounts for about half of planted areas in the country. The agro-climatic condition showed that RAIN decreased by 38%, TEMP decreased by 0.2°C and RADPAR decreased by 2%. According to the NDVI development graph, crop condition in this region was close to the average. CALF increased by 13% compared with the 5YA. The Arid and semi-arid region was one of the most drought affected regions and the VCIx was 0.81.

The region of Humid tropics with summer rainfall is located in southeastern Mexico. RAIN was near average, TEMP was 0.6℃ warmer, RADPAR increased by 2% and BIOMSS increased by 3%. CALF was 100%. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph from October to January, NDVI was below but close to the average level, and VCIx was 0.89. 

The Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains is situated in central Mexico. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were below the average level. RAIN decreased by 47%, TEMP increased by 0.6°C, and RADPAR increased by 1% compared to the 15YA. BIOMSS decreased by 21% and CALF was 94%. High CALF made VCIx reach 0.88.

The region called Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains is located in southern Mexico. During the monitoring period, crop conditions were slightly lower than the average in the four months as shown by the NDVI time profiles. The agro-climatic conditions show that RAIN (-22%), TEMP (+0.4℃) and RADPAR (0%). CALF was 97% The VCIx for the region was 0.88.

Figure 3.30 Mexico’s crop condition, October 2022 - January 2023

(a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI                           (c)  Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                                                                    (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles                                                                                                                              (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Arid and semi-arid regions (left) and Humid tropics with summer rainfall (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Sub-humid temperate region with summer rains (left) and Sub-humid hot tropics with summer rains (right))

Table 3.52 Mexico’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2022 - January 2023

Table 3.53 Mexico’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2022 - January 2023