Meat Consumption in Mexico Sees Significant Growth in 2024

Meat consumption in Mexico increased in 2024, driven by greater purchasing power fueled by social programs, remittances, and higher minimum wages, according to the Mexican Meat Council (COMECARNE).

From January to October 2024, meat consumption grew by 4.5% compared to the same period last year. Macarena Hernández, Director General, COMECARNE, highlighted that meat protein consumption has been steadily rising over the past three years as a result of increased purchasing power, driven by higher wages, remittances, and social programs.

An additional factor was the anti-inflationary measures from the PACIC programs implemented by former President López Obrador, which will be continued under the current administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, pointed out Ernesto Salazar, Manager of Studies and Trade, COMECARNE. He also noted that not only has meat consumption increased in the country, but consumers’ preferences have shifted toward more expensive products.

Salazar emphasized that Mexicans are increasingly opting for higher-value cuts of meat, such as beef and pork, moving away from the predominant consumption of chicken. “The increase in family income this year, driven by a 20% minimum wage hike, has strengthened purchasing power, allowing Mexicans to shift their consumption toward higher-value proteins, with pork being the next most affordable meat, followed by beef,” said Hernández. In this regard, it is expected that the next 12% increase in the minimum wage will further boost the consumption of these products.

By October of this year, chicken consumption reached 4.07Mt, reflecting a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year. However, during the same period, pork consumption grew by 6.7%, totaling 2.6Mt, and beef consumption rose by 6.9%, reaching 1.9Mt. Additionally, consumption of turkey, lamb, goat, and processed meats increased, to a lesser extent.

The country’s meat self-sufficiency stands at 78%, with pork being the most reliant on imports, with a self-sufficiency rate of 48%. To meet growing demand, Mexico imported 2.4Mt of beef, pork, chicken, and turkey during the period, surpassing last year’s imports by 176,000t. Of the total imports, 80% comes from the United States, while countries like Canada, Argentina, and Brazil have gained importance as trade partners. The latter now represents 15% of beef imports.

The director pointed out that imports play a crucial role in ensuring the food security of the Mexican population. She emphasized that the imposition of tariffs on Mexican products, as threatened by US President-elect Donald Trump, could have a significant impact on meat prices in the region next year. For 2025, COMECARNE projects that total animal protein consumption in Mexico will exceed 10.2Mt, with beef consumption expected to increase by 5.6%, pork by 6%, and chicken by 1.8%.