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The National Onion Association (NOA), in collaboration with the Texas International Produce Association and Texas Citrus Mutual, unequivocally supports the recent decision by the U.S. Government to withhold water allocations from Mexico. This action comes after decades of Mexico’s non-compliance with the 1944 water treaty, which mandates equitable water sharing between the United States and Mexico.
Mexico’s persistent failure to fulfill its water obligations, citing “extreme drought” exceptions, is contradicted by recent developments. The country has significantly expanded its water storage capacity since 1944, adding eight new reservoirs alongside existing infrastructure, as evidenced by satellite imagery of growing reservoirs in Chihuahua. Here’s a 2-minute video explainer of the situation.
The consequences of Mexico’s water mismanagement are starkly evident in the United States, with the complete collapse of the Texas sugar cane industry serving as an example. The diversion of over 1 million acre-feet of water has facilitated the growth of water-intensive crops, including a substantial increase in onion acreage in Chihuahua, Mexico, from 2002 to 2024.
Dale Murden, President of Texas Citrus Mutual said, “This is the first time we actually have felt our State Department’s support on this issue and we applaud Secretary Marco Rubio’s efforts. For far too long we have watched our neighbors on the Colorado River bend over backward to accommodate its treaty responsibilities annually, only to see Mexico take advantage of the U.S.”
Dante Galeazzi, president of the Texas International Produce Association, said, “We have consistently advocated for fairness and equal treatment. This position by the U.S. Administration supports what is the very foundation of the Treaty – reciprocity.”
Recent data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity highlights an 11.2% surge in Mexican onion imports to the U.S. This is a contributing factor to why America is a net importer of onions, in addition to all produce. This influx is exacerbating market pressures on American onion growers, who face regulatory disparities that disadvantage domestic production. By using the water that should belong to Texas, the Mexican onion industry is now competing against not only Texas, but California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Utah onion farmers.
Greg Yielding, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive of the National Onion Association, said, “Mexico’s blatant disregard for U.S. water rights under the 1944 treaty should be a national outrage. Just look at the onion industry — Mexico’s surge in onion exports to America is undercutting prices for American growers. If this continues unchecked, which agricultural sector will be next to collapse? This can and will be devastating for American farmers.”
SOURCE: NOA
