Introduction
In Mexico, affording a nutritious diet is no longer just about personal preference but also financial capability. Between 2010 and 2025, the prices of meat and essential food items have reached historic highs, reflecting a sustained increase in food costs over the past 15 years—the highest in that period.
The Gradual Rise of Food Prices
According to the latest available reports from the Consejo Nacional de Evaluación de la Política de Desarrollo Social (CONEVAL)—issued in 2024, before its institutional disappearance—the urban food basket’s monthly cost per person was 2,363 pesos. In comparison, this figure stood at around 692 pesos in 2010. In other words, the cost of sustenance has tripled over a little more than a decade.
- 2015: Food basket exceeded 1,000 pesos
- 2018: Reached 1,544 pesos
- 2020: Hit 1,870 pesos due to pandemic disruptions
Since then, prices have only continued to rise. The most recent data from CONEVAL—supported by INEGI records and PROFECO complementary series—confirms that food in Mexico is experiencing its priciest moment in a decade.
Beef Prices: A Reflection of Inequality
The price of beef, a staple in Mexican households, has risen even more steeply. In 2010, a kilogram of beef cost around 85 pesos; by 2015, it increased to 125 pesos; in 2020, it was around 145 pesos; and by 2024, PROFECO reported it at 187 pesos per kilogram.
By October 2025, beef prices in various markets across the country range from 210 to 230 pesos per kilogram, marking a nearly 160% increase over 15 years.
While the food basket tripled in price during this period, beef prices have risen even more. What was once a common food item has become an occasional luxury. Today, a family that previously allocated 100 pesos for a meat-based stew now needs more than double that amount to purchase the same quantity.
Although nominal minimum wages have improved, purchasing power against food has deteriorated. An average family now dedicates between 35% and 45% of their monthly income to food alone. In response, many people either reduce meat consumption or substitute it with cheaper protein sources like chicken, eggs, or legumes.
A Global Phenomenon with a Mexican Face
The rising cost of meat is not exclusive to Mexico. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported in September 2025 that the global meat price index reached a historic high, driven by droughts, livestock shortages, and high production costs.
Mexico faces additional challenges: the presence of the cattle-killing worm, reduced forage availability, and increased transportation and energy costs. The result is a perfect storm that has turned a kilogram of beef—once a commonplace item—into a symbol of food inequality.
The question is no longer about the cost of meat but rather how much each family can afford to keep it on their table.
Key Questions and Answers
- What has caused the rise in food prices in Mexico? The increase is due to various factors, including droughts, livestock shortages, high production costs, and additional challenges specific to Mexico like the cattle-killing worm, reduced forage availability, and increased transportation and energy costs.
- How have beef prices changed over the past 15 years? Beef prices have risen by nearly 160%, with a kilogram costing around 85 pesos in 2010 and now ranging from 210 to 230 pesos.
- How has this affected consumers’ purchasing power? Although nominal minimum wages have improved, the purchasing power concerning food has deteriorated. Families now dedicate between 35% and 45% of their monthly income to food alone.
- Is this issue limited to Mexico? No, the rising cost of meat is a global phenomenon. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that the global meat price index reached a historic high in September 2025, driven by similar factors.
