ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL, NATIONAL AND STATE PRODUCTION OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

At the global level, the US and China stand out as the principal maize (Zea mays L.) producers for grain and biofuel. México is the second world maize importer, after Japan. In México, mainly white maize is sown, in large rainfed extensions of land; however, in recent years yellow maize production has picked up. National maize in the irrigation modality showed improvement in the yields, although not in the rainfed modality. The objective of this study was to analyze the global, national and state production of maize by obtaining Annual Mean Growth Rates (AMGR). Information was gathered about the principal producing countries for maize grain in the period 1995-2012, and of the main biofuel producers (2007-2011). For the national analysis, the evolution of the surface sown, yields and production volumes was studied in 1995 to
2003, and 2004 to 2012. Real grain prices were obtained through the national index of consumer prices (Índice nacional de precios al consumidor, INPC) from 1995 to 2012, and the annual mean growth rates (AMGR) were calculated. It is recommended to implement policies that improve the maize sowing systems, in addition to organizational policies that guarantee benefits to the producers.