Tariffs, evolving trade relationships, and a terrible pest threaten Mexico’s food security and agricultural sector, but the industry is responding in kind with innovation, governmental policies, and collaboration across the agrifood supply chain.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged to make food sovereignty a major policy priority in her administration, including a plan to revamp government stores and boost bean production in the country, the AP reported shortly after her election last year.
Four months into her term, Sheinbaum faced a challenge from Mexico’s number one trading partner — the U.S. — with the Donald Trump administration raising the specter of increased tariffs on the country.
On top of trade challenges, Mexico is responding to the climate crisis, which is increasing droughts and making it harder for growers to produce beans, maize, and wheat. On the livestock side, the re-emergence of the New World screwworm — a fly species that lays larvae in cattle and humans — is causing concern on both sides of the border, with the U.S. and Mexico governments working on a solution to the pest.
These topics will be central to the 2025 edition of the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, taking place on Oct. 28-29 at the Hotel Marquis Reforma Mexico City. Over 350 attendees from across the agrifood supply chain attended the summit last year, with major ag companies, food producers, investors, and more gathering to find solutions to industry-wide problems.
Inside the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Mexico programme for 2025
Opening the summit, a panel session — including Manuel Bravo, president and general director of Bayer in Mexico, and Javier Brenes, food managing director and Mexico president of Cargill — will discuss scaling climate resilience across Mexico and Central America, and how local and federal governments are increasing food production.
The opening panel will be moderated by Diego Montenegro, Mexico representative for Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura, and will include insights from Mariuz Calvet, chief sustainability officer for financial service company Santander Mexico.
While reinforcing its food security, Mexico is also seeking to improve its export markets — a main theme across several sessions across the two days. Representatives from Agtools, CHEP, International Fresh Produce Association, and Zano Fresh will explore how to improve crop quality and reliability for export markets during a panel discussion on the first day of the summit.
On the second day of the summit, a panel with representatives from Ki Tua Fund, Sirio, Rainforest Alliance, and Authentica will discuss crop traceability and regulatory compliance and how that improves access to new markets for growers.
World Agri-Tech will also host several sessions presented in Spanish across the two days, including:
- Water Efficiency: Advancing Smart Irrigation and Water Management for Drought Resilience on Oct. 28 from 11:05-11:50 CST: Francisco Valdes, senior technology advisor at Aqua et Terra Sustainable Solutions; Marion Avril, sustainability and social innovation director at berry company Driscoll’s, and Eduardo Carrillo Ponce, managing director at Rieggo Rotoplas, will discuss how Mexico can prepare for increasingly serious droughts and the technologies to make water management more efficient in a panel discussion, chaired by Juan Villanueva Jiménez, senior research professor at Colegio de Postgraduados.
- Monetizing Nature-Based Services: Unlocking the Value of Mexico and Central America’s Natural Capital on Oct. 28 from 17:05-17:45 CST: A panel of investors from Regenera Ventures, Loom Capital, Co_Capital will be joined by representatives from Ponterra, Mexico2, and Focir to discuss Mexico’s and Central America’s progress in developing its carbon markets and how farmers can get in on the action.
- Export Policy & Food Security: Adapting to Trade Policies and Exploring New Markets While Strengthening National Food Systems on Oct. 29 from 09:00-09:40 CST: Professionals from across Mexico’s agrifood supply chain, including representatives from the Agricultural Markets Consulting Group, Mexican bank BanBajío, Consejo Coordinador Empresarial, Mexican Council of the Consumer Products Industry (ConMéxico), and citrus grower and packager and Wonderful Citrus, will share strategies for strengthening Mexico’s food security and how policies can reduce Mexico’s dependence on U.S. agricultural.
Additionally, attendees will have access to break-out sessions, roundtable discussions, and networking opportunities across both days of the summit.
Nature Sweet will host a breakout session about why ethics and sustainability are crucial to a successful ag business on the first day of the summit from 11:50-12:35 CST. Additionally, venture capital firm SP Ventures will host a networking breakfast for women in agriculture on the second day of the summit from 8:00-9:00 CST, ahead of the first session of the day.
Register today to attend World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in Mexico
AgTechNavigator readers interested in attending the summit can save 10% on admission by using promo code ATN. Register for the summit here and learn more about the programming by visiting the website here.
