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Mexico Published On Monday (5) Two Resolutions That Limit The Importation Of Beef And Pork Without Tax, After Years Of Free Purchase. Above The Quotas, 20% Tariffs Apply To Beef And 16% To Pork.
Mexico published on Monday (5) two resolutions that end unlimited importation with zero tariff for beef and pork, creating quotas and charging tax on what exceeds the authorized volumes.
Previously, companies in Mexico could buy these foods from abroad with zero tariff regardless of the quantity. Now, the quotas target countries outside North America and without trade agreements with Mexico, which is expected to direct the impact towards Brazil, Chile, and the European Union.
What Mexico Changed In Meat Imports
The resolutions published by Mexico create import limits with tax exemption and start to tax the excess volume.
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In the case of beef, Mexico will be able to import 70,000 tons without paying tariffs. Everything exceeding that volume will be taxed at 20%.
For pork, the tariff-free quota will be 51,000 tons. The excess will pay a 16% fee.
The measure, according to the information released, is valid until December 31 of this year.
Why Brazil, EU, and Chile Are Under Scrutiny
The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) clarified that the quota is aimed at countries outside North America and with which Mexico still does not have trade agreements.
In this context, the entity stated that the quota will mainly be utilized by Brazil, Chile, and the European Union.
In the cattle segment, the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec) reported that it is awaiting guidance from the Mexican government on how the distribution of quotas will be managed.
The Importance Of Mexico In Brazilian Meat Exports
From January to November 2025, beef was the second-largest product exported by Brazil to Mexico, while pork was the tenth, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC).
In the pork sector, from January to November 2025, Mexico was the seventh largest destination for Brazilian exports, behind the Philippines, Japan, China, Chile, Hong Kong, and Singapore, according to Agrostat from the Ministry of Agriculture, considering the value of purchases.
In beef, Mexico ranks as the fifth-largest customer of Brazil, behind China, the USA, the European Union, and Chile.
What Remains Outside The Change: Chicken Continues With Zero Tariff
Despite the changes in regulations for cattle and pigs, ABPA reported that chicken continues with a zero tariff in Mexico, maintaining its status as the main product exported by Brazil to the Mexican market.
China Also Announced Limits For Beef
The measure from Mexico was announced days after China, the largest buyer of Brazilian beef, also announced import limits aimed at protecting local producers.
According to the cited information, China created annual quotas per company for purchases of meat from foreign countries such as Brazil.
Today, meat imports to China are taxed at 12%, and anything exceeding the quotas will incur a 55% surcharge.
The measures started on January 1, 2026, and will last for three years.
The Ministry of Commerce of China reported that the total import quota for 2026 will be 2.7 million tons, with an increase year by year.
In Mexico, the tax exemption for beef and pork has been part of the Inflation and High Prices Package (PACIC), an initiative created in 2022 to combat rising food prices.
The policy was extended this year, but several products have now been assigned quotas and tariffs.
Should Mexico maintain the zero tariff for beef and pork or do the quotas make sense to protect the domestic market?
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