Background on the Situation
Eight months after the worker strike at Manzanillo’s customs port in May 2025, the port continues to face an operational crisis that has left numerous import and export companies facing prolonged delays, additional logistics costs, and a loss of competitiveness. Miguel Ángel Landeros, president of the Western Council of Mexican Trade Exterior (COMCE), expressed these concerns to El Economista.
The Ongoing Crisis
- Customs inefficiency has led to goods remaining in port yards for extended periods, causing extra storage and delay costs not attributable to the companies.
- Importers and exporters have had to increase their logistics costs by up to 20%, which eventually affects the final price of goods and reduces supply chain efficiency.
Landeros emphasized that although Manzanillo is Mexico’s most important port, located near Jalisco, the situation remains complex. Some importers have even opted for alternative ports due to uncertainty about when their goods will be shipped.
Capacity and Staffing Issues
While the port has adequate capacity, Landeros stressed the need for more customs personnel to expedite clearance processes.
Landeros: “There needs to be more understanding that the situation is over and more hiring of personnel. There should be greater flexibility with importers, as that’s where this problem could be resolved.”
Impact of U.S. Tariffs
Despite Jalisco’s export record-breaking figures by the third quarter of 2025, U.S. tariff policies negatively affected some sectors, though not all experienced growth in external sales.
- The electronics industry saw exponential growth and drove the state’s export numbers.
- Traditional sectors, such as agroindustry, experienced a decline due to U.S. tariff policies and geopolitical factors.
According to INEGI data, Jalisco’s exports totaled USD 32,546 million from January to September 2025, marking a 52.3% annual growth.
The electronics industry accounted for 72% of Jalisco’s exports, while the agroindustrial sector faced a downturn due to U.S. tariffs and geopolitical issues.
Diversifying Export Markets
Given the challenging trade circumstances with the U.S., COMCE Western Region intends to strengthen its market diversification strategy, aiming to expand opportunities for regional exporters, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Although the U.S. remains Mexico’s primary trade partner, current conditions necessitate exploring alternative export destinations more decisively.
- COMCE plans to reinforce its diversification strategy, which has always been a focus, but is now more crucial than ever.
As part of this strategy, COMCE has scheduled commercial missions to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Central America throughout 2025. These regions offer growth opportunities for various sectors in Jalisco and Western Mexico.
Middle Eastern Focus
COMCE is particularly targeting the United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai, which has emerged as a key logistics hub for the region.
Logistics Platform Development
COMCE is working with DP World, a leading global port operator, to establish a logistics platform for Mexican products in Dubai. This platform will provide Mexican companies, especially SMEs, with physical inventories in the region, facilitating access to new markets and reducing logistical barriers.
- Promising sectors for Middle Eastern exports include value-added agroindustry, medical devices, certain manufacturing, and traditional sectors.
