Mexico imposes 156% tariff on sugar imports
Mexico imposed a 156% tariff on sugar imports, including beet sugar and syrups, and 210.44% on refined liquid sugar, effective November 11. The move aims to protect domestic producers amid falling global prices and rising imports. Output for 2025–26 is projected at 5.2 million tonnes, with limited U.S. export quotas.
MEXICO CITY – Mexico on Nov 11 implemented a new tariff on sugar imports due to falling international prices and a risk of oversupply in the domestic market, according to the country’s Official Gazette.
The new tariff of 156 per cent per kg applies to all types of sugar, including beet sugar and syrups.
Refined liquid sugar will be subject to a 210.44 per cent tariff, according to a decree signed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and published in the Official Gazette on the night of Nov 10.
Until now, imported sugar faced tariffs of between US$360 and US$390 per tonne.
Mexico is typically not a sugar importer, although in the last three sugar production cycles, foreign sugar purchases have risen significantly due to bad weather conditions that caused a drop in local production, along with lower exports to the US.
“This tariff scheme provides greater protection for domestic product,” Mr Carlos Blackaller, the head of Mexico’s main sugarcane producers’ organisation, told Reuters.
The tariff would give Mexican sugar a “slightly higher price season” in the local market for the 2025/2026 season, which is just beginning.
“It practically eliminates the possibility of sugar imports into Mexico,” he said, adding that sugar imported in the last three seasons totalled just over one million tonnes.
Mexico produces an average of around five million tonnes of sugar a year, of which just over four million are destined for local consumption and the rest for export to the US and the world market – which pays a lower price than the US.
The sugar industry association, which represents sugar mill owners, did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the decree, the new 156 per cent tariff is ad valorem, meaning it includes insurance, freight and costs, Mr Blackaller said.
For the 2025/2026 sugar cycle, production is estimated at 5.2 million tonnes of sugar, a recovery from the 4.7 million tonnes of the previous harvest.
However, the current sugar export quota to the US is only 188,000 tonnes.
To Read more about Sugar Industry continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : Straits Times
