The “Soccer 2026” effect: Mexican meat exports could grow by up to 12%

The largest international football tournament in North America will not only attract millions of fans—it could also significantly boost trade between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

According to estimates from the National Association of Federal Inspection Type Establishments (ANETIF), Mexican meat exports to the United States and Canada could increase between 5% and 12% due to the higher demand generated by the event.

For Mexico’s meat industry, this represents an important opportunity to strengthen its presence in international markets and capitalize on growing consumption across the region.

Why is meat demand expected to increase?

Major sporting events often lead to a significant rise in food and beverage consumption. In this case, millions of people will attend matches, visit restaurants, bars, and fast-food establishments, and gather at home to watch the games.

According to ANETIF, demand is expected to increase for products such as:

Beef
Pork
Poultry
Ribs
Ribeye
T-Bone steaks
Skirt steak (Arrachera)
Sausages
Chorizo
Longaniza
Meat snacks such as jerky and dried meats

The association noted that its affiliated companies are already preparing to meet the anticipated increase in consumption across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Mexico’s meat industry is well positioned

The growth expectations come at a favorable time for the sector.

According to data shared by ANETIF, Mexico’s meat products market generated more than MXN 505 billion in 2025 and reached a record consumption level of 85.3 kilograms per capita.

In addition, products certified with the TIF Seal continue to be recognized as a benchmark for quality, food safety, and hygiene in both domestic and international markets.

Higher exports also mean greater logistics challenges

If exports increase by 5% to 12%, companies in the sector will need to prepare for several logistics challenges, including:

Increased availability of refrigerated transportation
Advanced shipment planning
Compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements
Efficient inventory management
Customs coordination to avoid delays

For perishable products such as meat, any disruption in the supply chain can affect product quality and lead to significant financial losses.

In a scenario of growing international demand, working with a freight forwarder in Mexico can make a significant difference for exporters.

A specialized logistics partner can help:

Coordinate international shipments
Manage ground, ocean, and air transportation
Optimize transit times
Maintain cold chain integrity
Reduce operational risks
Facilitate export documentation requirements

This allows companies to focus on production while logistics experts manage international transportation efficiently.

An opportunity to strengthen mexican exports

The projected increase in demand for meat products demonstrates how major international events can create real opportunities for exporting companies.

For Mexico, the expected growth in exports to the United States and Canada represents an opportunity to strengthen its position as a strategic food supplier in North America.

At Remar International, we have more than 27 years of experience supporting exporting companies through integrated logistics, customs brokerage, and freight forwarding solutions.

If your company is looking to take advantage of new export opportunities, our team can help you plan safe, efficient operations that comply with international trade requirements.