Mexican Agricultural Producers Intensify Protests by Seizing Toll Stations

In a significant escalation, agricultural producers in Mexico have seized toll booths in the regions of Sacramento and Jiménez, Chihuahua. This action is part of a nationwide protest led by organizations such as the Movimiento Agrícola Campesino (MAC) and UNTA, aiming to draw attention to the financial crisis affecting Mexican agriculture.

The protestors are demanding government support which they claim has been significantly reduced in recent years. Their demands include better marketing prices for their crops, direct financial assistance, and a review of operational costs. The dairy sector, although not the primary focus of these protests, is indirectly impacted by the lack of funding for productive assets and the high costs of fuel and energy.

A specific demand from the agricultural leaders is the exemption of taxes such as IEPS and VAT on fuel and electricity. They argue that such measures could decrease their input costs by more than 50%, thereby improving the profitability of their operations.

The protest has unified under the banner of the Frente Nacional para el Rescate del Campo Mexicano, bringing together producers from Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and at least 17 other states. This national unity highlights the systemic nature of the issues facing the primary sector in Mexico. Despite the disruptions, the protestors occasionally allow free passage to avoid confrontations while maintaining pressure through key meetings with authorities such as the Secretary of Agriculture in Mexico City.