Mexico’s Real Farming Threat: Illegal Pesticides

Mexico City, September 21, 2025 — The true challenge in the Mexican agricultural sector lies not in presidential decrees or the prohibition of substances that were no longer circulating in the market, but in the fight against illegal pesticides. This was the warning issued by César Ocaña Romo, director of the consultancy Nexus Agronegocios, who emphasized that these products represent approximately 15 percent of the inputs used in the country, according to estimates from the Observatorio Nacional Ciudadano.

The specialist stated that unfair and dangerous competition comes from illegal inputs that are cheap, uncontrolled, and that put health, the environment, and the competitiveness of producers at risk.

“The formal farmer complies and adapts to the rules, but illegal products demand decisive action: inspection in the field, traceability in the supply chain, and effective sanctions,” he emphasized.

On environmental matters, Ocaña Romo explained that the final disposal of empty pesticide containers remains a challenge. Although the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) reported that in 2024, 3,152 tons, or 47 percent of the generated containers, were recovered, more than half are still not collected, which represents a risk for soils, water sources, and rural communities.

Regarding the presidential decree that prohibited 35 pesticides, the consultant clarified that the majority of those molecules were no longer being used in Mexican agriculture, which creates an incomplete perception for consumers and international markets.

“It was projected that Mexico was lagging behind when, in reality, the transition is underway. The real change will be to close the door to illegal products and guarantee environmentally responsible management,” he stated.

Finally, Ocaña Romo warned that the debate over pesticides will continue due to international pressure, consumer demands, and technological innovation. However, he insisted that as long as the circulation of illegal pesticides is not resolved first, any decree will remain an “empty shell.”