During the monitoring period from November 2025 to January 2026, Mexico was generally characterized by below-average precipitation, slightly above-average air temperature, and photosynthetically active radiation close to normal levels. The national average precipitation was 18% below the long-term average; the average temperature was 1.0 °C higher; and photosynthetically active radiation was slightly above the average (+1%). Affected by insufficient precipitation, the national potential cumulative biomass was 5% below normal; the Crop Production Index (CroPI-11) was 0.96, slightly below the perennial level. Nevertheless, the cultivated area fraction (CALF) remained stable at 71%, 1% higher than the average.

The second-season maize was mainly concentrated in the northwestern region (dominated by Sinaloa), with a small amount distributed in the southern region. Maize in the northwest is mainly grown on a large scale and depends on irrigation systems, while the south is dominated by smallholder plots with scattered cultivation. According to CropWatch monitoring (Figure 2.11), the planted area of second-season maize was about 384 thousand hectares, the predicted yield was about 5857 kg per hectare, and the total output was expected to reach 2.25 million tonnes.

Affected by low precipitation, the overall production of second-season maize was under certain stress. The irrigated areas in the northwest were relatively less affected due to better water supply, while the rainfed areas in the south showed a significant reduction in planted area due to the lack of irrigation conditions.

Figure 2.11 Secondary Maize Planting in Mexico, November 2025 – January 2026