Meat industry in Mexico – statistics & facts
Whether it is chicken covered with the famous “mole poblano” sauce, tacos, or pozole, some of the most representative dishes in Mexico typically include some kind of meat. Tacos al pastor, for instance – one of consumers’ preferred kind of tacos - use pork as its main ingredient, while other favorites such as “tacos de bistec” and “tacos de carne asada” also include meat. Following a high demand, the Mexican meat industry has consistently increased sales in the past decade.
The quarterly expenditure on poultry meat in Mexico reached over 36 billion Mexican pesos in 2022, close to two billion pesos more than that of beef, and almost 18 billion more than that of pork. Furthermore, poultry demand is increasing and with it, production. Chicken meat production in Mexico, for instance, grew by 33 percent between 2013 and 2023.
As a result, consumers in Mexico have adapted and have become more frugal with their spending. The meat industry, however, is likely to continue growing, and revenue is expected to increase by more than 43 percent between 2023 and 2029.
What kind of meat do Mexicans consume?
Poultry is by far the most widely consumed kind of meat in Mexico. On average, over 20 kilograms of poultry are eaten per person every year, and this number is expected to increase over the next ten years. Pork, another staple ingredient in some of the country’s most popular dishes, is the second most consumed type of meat, although the annual per capita consumption is about 50 percent less than that of poultry.The quarterly expenditure on poultry meat in Mexico reached over 36 billion Mexican pesos in 2022, close to two billion pesos more than that of beef, and almost 18 billion more than that of pork. Furthermore, poultry demand is increasing and with it, production. Chicken meat production in Mexico, for instance, grew by 33 percent between 2013 and 2023.
The Mexican consumer
While not specifically for poultry, according to a 2024 survey, meat is one of the most regularly consumed groceries in Mexico, after staples like fruits and vegetables, eggs, and rice. Concerning gender, both women and men enjoyed eating meat, with a slightly higher share of men among meat consumers.Meat is more expensive every year
The price of food in general has consistently increased in the last few decades, not only in Mexico, but everywhere in Latin America and the Caribbean. In January 2024, the consumer price index (CPI) of food in the North American country was higher than ever before. Although the inflation rate has slowed down in recent months, especially for the meat category, prices in general are still higher. Between 2016 and 2022, the quarterly expenditure per household increased by 67 percent for poultry, 75 percent for beef, and 99 percent for pork.As a result, consumers in Mexico have adapted and have become more frugal with their spending. The meat industry, however, is likely to continue growing, and revenue is expected to increase by more than 43 percent between 2023 and 2029.
