The quiet export engine
Agriculture: a $1.25 billion export engine
One of the state's biggest and least-visible sectors, exporting fresh produce to markets worldwide year-round.
Baja California is Mexico's second-largest strawberry producer, shipping berries and vegetables through Pacific ports.
Volume in the valley, value on the coast
- Farm output was about 23.7 billion pesos (roughly $1.25 billion) in 2024 and supports 120,000+ direct jobs, per SIAP and the state. Value dipped about 12% that year, but the sector remains a pillar.
- Two very different regions. The Mexicali Valley produces the volume, over 90% of the state's tonnage, mostly alfalfa, wheat, and cotton on Colorado River irrigation. The Pacific coast (Ensenada and San Quintín) produces the value, led by export berries and vegetables.
- Baja California is Mexico's second-largest strawberry producer, and the coastal berry-and-vegetable belt ships strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, and more to export markets worldwide through Pacific ports like Ensenada.
- Where it is headed. Coastal export berries and protected agriculture are steering the state toward value over volume: greenhouse and shade-house acreage, cold-chain investment, and premium blueberry and strawberry programs are aimed at year-round shipments into high-value US, Asian, and European markets.
Two regions, two roles
| Region | Role | Signature crops | Share of tonnage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexicali Valley | Volume | Alfalfa, wheat, cotton | 90%+ |
| Pacific coast Ensenada · San Quintín | Value | Strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes | <10% |
SIAP-SADER; production concentrated in the Colorado River-irrigated Mexicali Valley, value concentrated in coastal export produce.