Summary: Grupo La Moderna’s US$40 million investment in a new cookie manufacturing plant in Guanajuato strengthens the state’s position as a key agro-industrial and food processing hub, while creating 300 direct jobs and expanding integration between local wheat producers and industrial manufacturers. The project reflects a broader trend of food industry investment in Mexico, alongside major commitments from PepsiCo and Pilgrim’s Pride, supporting national efforts to increase domestic food production, reinforce supply chains and reduce import dependence. The expansion is expected to benefit agricultural producers, logistics providers, suppliers and regional manufacturing ecosystems across the Bajío region.
Guanajuato continues to consolidate its position as one of Mexico’s leading agro-industrial hubs following Grupo La Moderna’s announcement of a new US$40 million cookie manufacturing plant in Irapuato, a project expected to create 300 direct jobs and strengthen links between the state’s agricultural sector and food processing industry.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Guanajuato Governor Libia García, who said the investment reflects the confidence Mexican companies continue to place in the state as a destination for productive development. The facility will expand Grupo La Moderna’s operations in Guanajuato, where the company already participates in wheat milling, collection and processing activities.
The announcement comes amid a broader wave of investments in Mexico’s food and agribusiness sector, including PepsiCo’s US$467 million Sabritas plant in Celaya and Pilgrim’s Pride’s US$1.3 billion investment plan through 2030, reinforcing the country’s strategy to strengthen domestic food production and supply chains.
La Moderna Expands Manufacturing Footprint
As food manufacturers seek to increase production capacity and secure local supply chains, Guanajuato has emerged as a strategic destination due to its agricultural output, logistics infrastructure and industrial ecosystem.
During the event, García emphasized that investments such as La Moderna’s contribute to job creation, regional economic growth and new opportunities for local communities. She added that the state government continues to implement policies aimed at facilitating new investments and supporting corporate expansion projects.
The governor also noted that the current administration has already achieved 50% of its six-year investment attraction target during its first years in office. For Grupo La Moderna, the new plant represents an expansion of its integrated operations in the state. The facility will complement existing wheat-related activities and further strengthen the company’s participation across the food production value chain.
Eduardo Monroy Carrillo, Advisor, Grupo La Moderna’s Executive Committee, said the decision to establish the plant in Guanajuato was influenced by the state’s strategic location, logistics connectivity, availability of agricultural raw materials and skilled workforce. He added that the region offers favorable conditions for food production and nationwide distribution, supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy in Mexico.
Stronger Links Between Agriculture and Industry
Beyond manufacturing capacity, the project is expected to generate significant benefits for Guanajuato’s agricultural sector. The plant will purchase wheat grown in the state as a key input for its products, creating stronger connections between local farmers and industrial processors. State authorities said this integration will provide opportunities for agricultural producers while increasing demand for regional suppliers.
The investment also highlights a growing trend among food manufacturers to source raw materials domestically, reducing supply chain risks and creating additional value within local economies.
In addition to the 300 direct jobs, the facility is expected to stimulate activity in transportation, logistics, industrial services and supplier networks, broadening its economic impact throughout the Bajío region. The project reinforces Guanajuato’s strategy of leveraging its agricultural strengths to attract value-added manufacturing investments, particularly in food processing sectors that can create long-term demand for local production.
PepsiCo Reinforces Guanajuato’s Food Manufacturing Base
La Moderna’s expansion follows another major investment announcement in Guanajuato’s food sector. PepsiCo recently inaugurated a new Sabritas plant in Celaya with an investment exceeding US$467 million, part of the company’s broader US$2 billion investment plan in Mexico between 2025 and 2028.
The facility adds 66,500mt of annual production capacity and includes three production lines for brands such as Sabritas, Doritos, Cheetos and Ruffles, reported MBN. The plant incorporates water recirculation systems, rainwater harvesting, solar panels and LED lighting designed to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
PepsiCo’s agricultural supply chain also plays a significant role in Mexico’s food economy. The company works with more than 40,000 Mexican producers and purchases approximately 20% of the country’s potato production. It also sources corn, wheat, banana and cocoa domestically, while using 100% Mexican white corn in its products.
The Celaya investment created 210 specialized direct jobs and approximately 800 indirect positions across logistics, transportation and agriculture, bringing PepsiCo’s workforce in Guanajuato to nearly 2,900 employees. Supported by 34 distribution centers and more than 1,100 delivery routes, the company’s operations further strengthen the Bajío region’s role as a manufacturing and logistics hub.
National Food Security Investments Gain Momentum
The expansion of food production capacity is also occurring at the national level as Mexico seeks to strengthen domestic food security and reduce import dependence. The Ministry of Economy recently announced that Pilgrim’s Pride will invest US$1.3 billion in Mexico through 2030, generating more than 4,000 jobs and expanding the country’s poultry production capacity.
According to Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, the investment aligns with Plan México’s objective of increasing domestic food production, reported MBN. “Mexico will stop 35% of its total chicken imports. Chicken will be produced in our country; this is one of the main objectives of Plan México,” Ebrard said.
The investment will be distributed across three regions. In northern Mexico, US$200 million will be allocated to Durango and Coahuila for plant modernization and renewable energy infrastructure. Another US$150 million will support technological upgrades in Queretaro and Hidalgo.
The largest share, US$950 million, will be invested in Veracruz, Campeche, and Yucatan to double production capacity and establish a new center in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, including a food processing plant and hatchery.
