Pork consumption in Mexico reached 3 753 000 tonnes (t) in 2025, an annual increase of 13%, the largest among the three main meats, according to the Mexican Meat Council (CoMeCarne). Between January and August of 2026, pork consumption grew 2.9 % compared with the same period of 2025, while chicken consumption increased 3 % and beef consumption fell 2.5 %.
National pork production grew 5.1 % year over year between 2020 and 2025, compared with 9.0 % for consumption,which is why the Council considers it necessary to supplement domestic supply with imports. In December 2025, the federal government removed beef and pork from the decree exempting basic food basket products from import tariffs. In January 2026, the Ministry of Economy published the tariff-rate quota agreements, effective through 31 December 2026, with a volume of 51 000 t for pork and 70 000 for beef.
As the quotas and the zero tariff on chicken expire in December, Macarena Hernández, CEO of CoMeCarne, called for their terms, publication, and operating mechanism to be finalized in advance. This will allow companies to conclude their supply negotiations in 2026 and plan production for 2027. Ernesto Salazar, the Council’s Economic Studies Manager, said that the quotas and exemptions help supplement domestic supply and contain price pressures.
The Council explained that scheduling a shipment from South America to Mexico requires 30 to 50 days, plus 18 to 35 days of sea transit. Shipments from the United States and Canada require 7 to 15 days, plus about 7 days of ground transit. With estimated meat consumption growth of 3.5 % and limited supply in the international market, the industry must anticipate its requirements.
9 October 2026 | Mexican Meat Council | https://comecarne.org/