Mexico still does not import meat from Brazil and Argentina

The Consulting Group of Agricultural Markets (GCMA) in Mexico has stated that there have been no imports of Brazilian beef, due to the fact that logistics costs are very high and the product cannot compete on price.

Even though the Mexican government allowed the entry of beef, tariff-free, from third-party countries with which there is no free trade agreement, to “favor the Mexican economy” as part of the inflationary measures, in the first quarter of the year, only 3 tons of meat imported from Argentina are recorded and there is no record from Brazil, according to data from the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM).

Despite being self-sufficient, Mexico presents a record in beef imports in the first quarter of the year, but 99% comes from the United States.

“In March 2022, the volume entered was 39.9 million tons of bovine meat, with a commercial value of 299 million dollars. A year later, the volume increased by 16.3%, reaching a level of 46.4 million tons,” said GCMA.

The general director of the consulting agency, Juan Carlos Anaya, stated that there have been no imports of Brazilian beef, derived from the fact that logistics costs are very high and the imported product cannot compete in price at the national level.

Through the Opening Agreement Against Inflation and High Costs (Apecic), the government of Andrés Manuel López suspended all regulations that prevent or make the importation and entry of food more expensive, in which beef paid a tariff of 75%.

La Sader reported on the requirements that Argentina and Brazil must meet for the two countries to be allowed to export beef to Mexico, after three years of negotiation, despite the fact that Mexico is self-sufficient in terms of beef production. At the end of 2023, a production of 2.21 million tons is projected.

Source: Eleconomista.com.mx