Mexican pork production is forecast to rise to 1.6 million tonnes cwe in 2022, rising from 1.5 million in 2021, according to the USDA.
Mexico is also a large importer of pork, mainly from the US. According to Bill of Lading data, Mexico imported 1.1 million tonnes product weight in 2021, a marked increase on the prior year from around 0.9 million.
Export volumes are also expected to grow, with the majority of Mexican pig meat exports being high value, labour-intensive products to the US, Japan and South Korea.
Rebecca Wright, AHDB senior analyst for red meat, noted that productivity of the Mexican sow population compared with their European counterparts is lower, although it is beginning to see some gains, however recent rises in input costs will cause some challenges and squeeze profitability.
“There is expected to be strong domestic demand as, similar to other countries, eating out continues to recover post-Covid,” said Ms Wright.
Rising food inflation is likely to impact demand, although currently pork remains an affordable protein option in the South American country.
Import volumes are predicted to grow this year, driven by the resumption of trading for street food stalls and restaurants.
