Mexico Sets Import Quotas for Rice, Beef, and Pork for 2026

The Ministry of Economy (SE) published a series of decrees establishing import quotas for beef, pork, and rice to secure domestic supply throughout 2026. The federal government aims to balance the internal market, diversify supply sources beyond traditional partners, and ensure price stability for consumers by supplementing national production deficits with over 320,000t of combined duty-free imports.

Import Quota for Rice 

In a decree published in the Federation Official Gazette (DOF), SE established an import quota of 200,000t for paddy rice (unmilled rice) to be applicable throughout 2026. The measure aims to supplement national production and meet domestic consumption demands. The agreement specifies that the quota applies to tariff item 1006.10.99, which covers other types of rice excluding that from the State of Morelos, and will remain in force until Dec. 31, 2026.

According to data from the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP), national paddy rice production reached 105,825t by October 2025. This figure represents a 0.7% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. The government notes that domestic production remains historically insufficient to meet national consumption. In 2024, 84% of the available supply consisted of imported paddy and polished rice. While the majority of these imports originated from the United States, 2025 saw a diversification in countries of origin.

The agreement cites the need for alternative supply sources to complement domestic consumption without inhibiting national production. Mexico maintains phytosanitary requirement sheets for paddy rice imports from Brazil, the United States, Guyana, and Uruguay. The administration stated that import quotas serve as an instrument to diversify supply sources, generate competitive conditions, and contribute to price stability for consumers, aligning with the National Development Plan 2025-2030.

The 200,000t quota will be assigned through a public bidding process managed by the General Directorate of Trade Facilitation and Foreign Trade (DGFCCE). Both physical and legal persons established in Mexico may participate if they meet specific tax and legal requirements. A call for bids will be published on the National Foreign Trade Information Service (SNICE) website. 

The quota will be awarded under the Minimum Price modality, meaning winners must pay the adjudication amount based on the minimum price of the winning bids. Once a quota amount is adjudicated and paid for, beneficiaries must request the quota certificate through the Mexican Foreign Trade Digital Window. These certificates will remain valid until Dec. 31, 2026, and the adjudicated amounts are transferable.

Beef Import Quota for 2026

In a parallel measure, SE established a 70,000t import quota for fresh, chilled, and frozen beef to ensure market stability and protect consumer purchasing power. This quota, valid until Dec. 31, 2026, applies to specific tariff items including 0201.10.01 (carcasses), 0202.30.01 (boneless), and others covering both bone-in and boneless cuts.

The report notes that between 2020 and 2024, domestic production satisfied an average of 92.9% of apparent national consumption, with imports accounting for 7.1%. However, in 2024, import volumes surged by 37.6% compared to the previous year, raising the import dependency coefficient to 9.2%. This upward trend continued through 2025, with import dependency reaching 11.8%.

While the United States, Nicaragua, and Canada remain key trading partners, Brazil emerged as the principal supplier of beef to Mexico in 2025. The government determined that the 70,000t quota, equivalent to the annual average of Brazilian imports in 2024 and estimated 2025 figures, is necessary to diversify external supply sources without disrupting local production. As with the rice quota, these import rights will be assigned via a public bidding process under the Minimum Price modality. 

Mexico Renews Pork Import Quota for 2026

SE also established a 51,000t import quota for fresh, chilled, or frozen pork, valid until Dec. 31, 2026. This quota matches the volume of the previous allocation and applies to tariff items such as 0203.11.01 (carcasses), 0203.21.01 (hams/shoulders), and 0203.19.99 (other cuts).

The rationale for the renewal centers on a persistent domestic production deficit. Government data indicates that between 2020 and 2024, imports covered 43.2% of apparent national consumption, with domestic production satisfying the remaining 56.8%. Pork is the second most consumed animal protein in Mexico, trailing only chicken.

The decree also highlights a high concentration of suppliers. Over the last four years, the United States and Canada jointly accounted for more than 80% of pork imports. The 51,000t quota is intended to diversify supply sources and encourage competition without harming national swine producers.

Procedurally, this quota follows the same public bidding mechanism under the Minimum Price modality as the beef and rice quotas. Beneficiaries will receive transferable certificates valid through the end of 2026.