Mexico’s chicken imports from the United States were 459,000 tons in 2019, according to data from the Bachoco company.

Mexico is a prime destination for US chicken meat exports.

Imports of Mexican chicken originating in the United States have increased from 204,100 tons in 2008, when restrictions on imports of leg quarters were gradually lifted in January of that year.

In particular, in 2019 total external purchases of chicken from Mexico increased 9.8% compared to 2018. This increase, according to Bachoco, was mainly due to a decrease in the prices of products from the United States.

According to the National Poultry Farmers Union (UNA), chicken products are the main source of protein consumed in Mexico.

Chicken imports

Mexico is already among the top 10 global chicken producers, with an estimated production of 3 million 550,400 tons of chicken meat in 2019, and a per capita consumption of 33.1 kilograms in 2019, an increase of 1.8% compared to 32.5 kilograms in 2018.

In terms of value, imports of chicken and other poultry such as turkeys and ducks from Mexico from its northern neighbor totaled $ 902 million.

In general, fresh chicken is the most popular meat consumed in Mexico. According to UNA, more than 90% of chicken is sold fresh, and only a small percentage is sold frozen and with added value (marinated, breaded, partially cooked and fully cooked, among others).

These products have found limited acceptance among Mexican consumers due to the tradition and historical preferences of fresh chicken consumers.