Overview
- China’s safeguard took effect January 1 with country quotas and a 55% tariff on beef volumes above those limits, allocating roughly 1.1 million tonnes to Brazil, 511,000 to Argentina and about 320–324,000 to Uruguay through 2028.
- Argentina’s quota aligns with recent shipments and will rise 2% in 2027 and again in 2028, while producer groups warn that administered export limits risk future concentration and distortions despite preserving current access.
- Mexico’s Economy Ministry published 2026 arancel‑cupo quotas in the DOF—70,000 tonnes of beef, 51,000 of pork and 200,000 of rice—from countries without trade agreements, administered by public tender with certificates issued via SNICE/DGFCCE.
- Imports outside Mexico’s quotas face tariffs generally in the 20%–25% range for meats (9% for rice), and awards will use a “precio mínimo” mechanism, with the measures in force from January 6 to December 31, 2026.
- Industry reactions diverged: Mexico’s ComeCarne and Concamin say the meat quotas are too small and risk price pressure, proposing far higher volumes, while the CNOG backs the policy as support for local producers with assured supply.