Beef Import Quotas
The federal government has established a tariff-free quota of 70,000 tonnes annually for imported beef from countries without existing trade agreements with Mexico. This quota represents 24% of total beef imports in 2025 (290,834 tonnes) and 60% of those exclusively from South America (115,206 tonnes), according to calculations based on ComeCarne statistics.
Agreement Details
- The tariff-free quota entered into effect starting Tuesday and was published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) by the Secretaría de Economía.
- The quotas will be granted through a public auction, and imports outside these quotas from countries without trade agreements will face tariffs ranging from 20% to 25%.
- The Secretaría de Economía stated that the beef quota “addresses recent market trends and aims to complement domestic consumption without hindering internal production or excessively increasing reliance on foreign sources.”
Discrepancy in Figures
ComeCarne, however, argued that the proposed volume is “insufficient given current market conditions,” suggesting a minimum quota of 153,000 tonnes based on official ANAM data and market behavior in 2025. This volume, they claim, ensures supply continuity without causing distortions or negatively impacting domestic production.
- ComeCarne claims the government’s volume is based on incomplete statistical averages and does not accurately reflect recent market behavior, excluding relevant imports from non-trade countries. This leads to an underestimation of required volume.
- The proposed quota by ComeCarne does not affect domestic production, as it does not encourage unfair displacement or substitution of local products. It is merely a minimum operational volume aligned with market needs and compatible with domestic production.
- In 2025, North American beef imports dropped to 47.6% (137,820 tonnes), while imports from South American countries without trade agreements increased to 39.8% (115,206 tonnes). These import volumes accounted for 87% (253,026 tonnes) of total imports.
- The DOF publication by the Secretaría de Economía, however, states that 70,000 tonnes represent the average annual Brazilian beef imports in 2024 and the estimated closing of trade in 2025. Brazil became Mexico’s primary beef supplier in 2025.
Pork and Rice Import Quotas
The government also opened quotas for importing pork and rice in 2026, according to other agreements published by the Secretaría de Economía.
- Up to 200,000 tonnes of rice and 51,000 tonnes of pork can be imported from countries without trade agreements.
- Tariffs will apply to remaining imports, at 20% for pork and 9% for rice.
The Secretaría de Economía noted that domestic pork production is insufficient to meet national demand, necessitating imports to satisfy internal demand and balance the market. Between 2020-2024, 43.2% of apparent national consumption was covered by imports, while 56.8% came from domestic production.
Quota Distribution
All quotas will be granted through a public auction, with remaining imports facing tariffs between 20% and 25%.
