NAFTA at 11: The Growing Integration of North American Agriculture

Overview

In the 11 years since implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the agricultural sectors of Canada, Mexico, and the United States have become much more integrated. U.S. feedstuffs have facilitated a marked increase in Mexican meat production and consumption, and the importance of Canadian and Mexican produce to U.S. fruit and vegetable consumption is also growing. Foreign direct investment in the Mexican processed food sector has increased, and sales by Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. multinational food companies throughout the NAFTA region have risen, giving consumers access to a wider variety of products.