Background on the Investigation
The Mexican Secretariat of Economy has commenced an anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigation concerning the imports of pork ham and shoulder originating from the United States. This move comes after requests from several Mexican companies, including Alimentos Kowi, Alimentos Soles, Comercializadora Porcícola, Proteína Animal, and Sonora Agropecuaria.
Growth in Mexican Market and Import Trends
According to the resolution published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), the Consumo Nacional Aparente (CNA)—measured as domestic production plus imports minus exports—increased by 8% during the investigation period (2022-2024). Specifically, it grew by 1% in 2023 and 7% in 2024.
The total volume imported also rose by 10% during the investigation period, with a 1% increase in 2023 and a 9% increase in 2024. Imports originated from seven countries, with the United States being the primary source, contributing 86% of the total volume.
Meanwhile, domestic production decreased by 3% during the investigation period, remaining constant in 2023 and falling by 3% in 2024. Export volumes dropped by 36%, with a 14% decrease in 2023 and a 26% decline in 2024.
Impact on Mexican Pork Industry
The companies requesting the investigation stated that from 2022 to 2023, US imports captured almost all the growth in the national consumption. This forced domestic producers to sell their remaining production in channels where companies can source meat from non-TIF establishments.
This further exacerbated the damage, as safety and traceability are not priorities in these channels. Consequently, consumers are reluctant to pay the cost of a TIF process, and prices in these channels tend to be lower than those in TIF-only channels.
However, the companies acknowledged that additional harm may still result from the investigated imports.
Subsidies in US Pork Industry
The Mexican Secretariat of Economy observed that the 7% growth in the national market for pork ham and shoulder during the investigation period was primarily covered by US imports (75%), while imports from other origins contributed minimally, and domestic production suffered the most.
The investigation details a wide range of subsidies provided by both the federal and various state governments in the US to their pork industry.
Next Steps and Historical Context
The Secretariat of Economy will accept submissions from interested parties and has initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations on pork ham and shoulder imports from the US, regardless of origin.
The investigation period is set from January 1 to December 31, 2024, and the damage analysis period spans from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.
The Secretariat may impose definitive compensatory tariffs on products declared for consumption up to 90 days prior to the application of provisional measures, as per articles 10.6 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement, 20.6 of the Subsidy Agreement, and 65 A of the Foreign Trade Law.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
In April 2025, the Mexican government threatened to impose anti-dumping quotas on US imports of pork ham and leg originating from the United States. This was a direct response to the Trump administration’s announcement of a countervailing duty on Mexican tomatoes.
Julio Berdegué, Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, mentioned in a press conference at the Palacio Nacional that Mexico had two ongoing anti-dumping investigations against US chicken and pork ham imports for several years. He also noted that Mexico initiated another anti-dumping case against US pork ham imports.
Since July 4, 2024, the US has applied a 17.09% anti-dumping duty on Mexican tomato imports.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the investigation about? The Mexican Secretariat of Economy has initiated an anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigation concerning pork ham and shoulder imports from the United States.
- Why is Mexico conducting this investigation? Mexican companies have accused the US of dumping pork products below market prices, harming domestic producers. There are also concerns about subsidies provided to the US pork industry.
- What are the timeframes for the investigation? The investigation period is from January 1 to December 31, 2024. The damage analysis period spans from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.
- What actions may result from the investigation? The Secretariat of Economy may impose definitive compensatory tariffs on affected products.
- What is the historical context? Mexico has had ongoing anti-dumping investigations against US chicken and pork ham imports for years. In response to a US countervailing duty on Mexican tomatoes, Mexico threatened anti-dumping quotas on US pork imports.
