Background and Relevance of Exportadora de Sal (ESSA)
Exportadora de Sal (ESSA) is a Mexican company dedicated to the commercialization of industrial and table salt, as well as providing port services and dispatching vessels. Founded 70 years ago, ESSA was nationalized during a challenging period marked by declining sales and rising inventories in the final two years of the López Obrador administration.
The Failed Nationalization
In 2024, ESSA generated 2,448 million pesos, which is 38.2% less than the originally projected 3,962 million pesos in the Federal Budget of Expenditures. The company’s sales volume and service provision only amounted to 2,266 million pesos, with 1,824 million pesos coming from the sale of three million 829,641 metric tons of salt.
The difference of 1,500 million pesos was attributed by ESSA’s management to reduced sales volume, price differentials compared to the market, and unfavorable variations in the exchange rate.
Although the Federal government allocated 4,340 million pesos in the 2024 PEF, ESSA reported an underspending of 3,133 million pesos by the end of 2024. The company’s financial result was 133.5 million pesos, achieved through a policy of reduced operational spending and budget reallocation.
Financial Challenges
To address the deficit, ESSA’s management used 956.4 million pesos from its finances despite contingent liabilities of 15,359 million pesos resulting from ongoing lawsuits involving the company. The most risky case is a commercial lawsuit estimated at 11,858 million pesos, though ESSA’s management claims a copy of a favorable definitive ruling issued in November 2023 following the plaintiff’s withdrawal.
However, ESSA faces operational restrictions due to limited maritime equipment availability, causing inventory accumulation. Between 2023 and 2024, inventories grew by 83.2%.
Additional Context
Vacancy: Cancellation of Events in Auditorio Nacional
An unusual occurrence took place when the Auditorio Nacional remained empty on a Sunday, especially during the CDMX Grand Prix weekend when other venues like Arena Mexico and massive halls were open. The imposing monolith in Chapultepec’s Bosque de Chapultepec experienced a last-minute cancellation, despite ticket distribution already being completed.
Clara Brugada’s first-year celebration at the Palacio del Ayuntamiento has been postponed due to this cancellation.
Anticipations: Early Political Maneuvers
With 20 months until the 2027 election, early political moves for candidacies are evident. One notable example is Luis Montaño joining the Mexican Green Ecology Party after a brief stint at the Belisario Domínguez Senate Institute. The PPR leadership aims to position him for the Atizapán de Zaragoza mayoralty, a stronghold of the PAN in the Valley of Mexico where Morena has not gained traction.
Montaño’s new ecologist banner, however, has a less ideal story behind it: Lumo Financiera. The contrast between the environmentalist discourse and the opacity in business dealings casts a shadow over his “political renewal” narrative.
Preparations: Sustainability Efforts in Guadalajara
Over a thousand native trees were planted in the Bosque de la Primavera, Guadalajara’s metropolitan green lung, located near the Akron stadium—the venue for the upcoming continental World Cup. More than 300 Grupo Omnilife Chivas collaborators and volunteers, under Amaury Vergara’s leadership, participated in these planting efforts as part of their sustainability and sustainability strategy.
