Introduction
Brazil has just conquered a new and promising market in Mexico that could move up to $1 billion in business. Mexico officially opened its market to Brazilian bovine and pork meals, formalized during a Brazilian government mission to the country. This historic milestone represents a significant expansion of commercial relations between both countries and opens new opportunities for Brazilian agribusiness.
After a significant increase in Brazilian beef exports to Mexico, which became the second-largest buyer of Brazilian protein, this market opening consolidates Brazil as a strategic supplier to the Mexican market.
H2: What Changed – Official Market Opening
The Historic Agreement
The market opening was formalized during a Brazilian government mission to Mexico, and in return, Brazil allowed the entry of Mexican tuna derivatives. This bilateral negotiation demonstrates the strengthening of commercial relations between both countries.
Products cleared for export:
- Bovine origin meals
- Pork origin meals
- Meat processing by-products
- Animal feed ingredients
Diplomatic Mission
The achievement resulted from intense diplomatic negotiation led by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin in an official visit to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro declared that “Brazil expects that, in the coming days, Mexico will open its market to Brazilian bovine and pork meals” – an expectation that materialized.
H2: $1 Billion Potential – Market Analysis
Business Dimension
The animal meal market represents a billion-dollar opportunity for Brazil. This estimate is based on growing Mexican demand for animal feed ingredients and Brazil’s already consolidated production capacity.
Factors justifying the potential:
- Mexico is the 2nd largest buyer of Brazilian beef
- Growth of Mexican livestock demands more inputs
- Brazil has excess production capacity in animal meals
- Geographic proximity reduces logistics costs
Comparison with Other Markets
Brazil already exports animal meals to:
- United States: $120-180 million annually
- European Union: $80-150 million annually
- Asia: $200-300 million annually
- Mexico potential: $800 million – 1 billion annually
H2: What Are Animal Origin Meals
Definition and Applications
Bovine and pork origin meals are by-products of meat processing, rich in protein and minerals, used primarily in manufacturing animal feed.
Product characteristics:
- Bovine meat and bone meal: 45-50% protein
- Pork meat and bone meal: 50-55% protein
- Rich in calcium and phosphorus
- High-quality protein source
Production Process
Production stages:
- By-product collection: Bones, cartilage, and meat trimmings
- Cooking: Thermal process at 130°C for 20 minutes
- Pressing: Separation of fat and solids
- Grinding: Transformation into fine meal
- Quality control: Microbiological and nutritional analyses
H2: Impact on Brazilian Agribusiness
New Markets = Greater Added Value
According to the Agriculture Minister, “the main product is meat. But bones become a product to be exported, with added value”. This statement illustrates how by-products once discarded now become revenue sources.
Benefits for the sector:
- Complete utilization: Waste reduction in slaughterhouses
- Additional revenue: Up to 8-12% more billing per animal
- Sustainability: Circular economy in meat processing
- Competitiveness: Diluted production costs
Beneficiary Companies
Main market players:
- JBS: World’s largest meat processor
- Marfrig: Second-largest company in the sector
- Minerva Foods: Export-focused
- BRF: Leader in poultry, but with bovine operations
- Regional companies: Hundreds of smaller slaughterhouses
H2: Operations Expansion
New Plant Qualification
According to the Agriculture Minister, Brazil will qualify 14 more bovine, pork, and poultry plants to export to Mexico. This expansion represents significant investments in infrastructure and certifications.
Required investments:
- Sanitary adequacy: $400,000-1 million per plant
- Certifications: $100,000-200,000 per unit
- Equipment: $600,000-1.6 million in modernization
- Training: $40,000-100,000 in capacity building
Implementation Timeline
Expansion phases:
- September-October 2025: First plant qualification
- November-December 2025: Pilot export initiation
- January-March 2026: Expansion to 14 additional plants
- April 2026 onwards: Full commercial scale operation
H2: Mexico as Strategic Partner
Why Mexico Matters
Mexico represents the world’s 15th GDP and gateway to the North American market through the USMCA agreement (former NAFTA). After becoming the second-largest buyer of Brazilian beef, the country consolidates its position as a strategic partner.
Mexican market advantages:
- 130 million population: Large consumer market
- Economic growth: 3.2% projected for 2025
- US proximity: Indirect access to American market
- Stable currency: Relatively strong Mexican peso
Historic Commercial Relations
Brazil-Mexico trade balance:
- 2023: $8.2 billion in bilateral trade
- 2024: $9.1 billion (11% growth)
- 2025 (projection): $10.5 billion with new agreements
Main Brazilian exported products:
- Beef ($1.2 billion)
- Soybean ($800 million)
- Sugar ($400 million)
- Coffee ($200 million)
- Animal meals (new): $200-500 million (initial estimate)
H2: Sustainability and Circular Economy
By-product Utilization
Animal meal exports represent an exemplary circular economy model, transforming what was once considered “waste” into commercially valuable products.
Environmental benefits:
- Waste reduction: 95% of by-products utilized
- Lower carbon footprint: Less material discarded
- Energy efficiency: Fat utilization as fuel
- Waste management: Proper organic material destination
Social Responsibility
Positive impacts:
- Rural income: Valorization of rural by-products
- Regional development: Growth in producing areas
- Food security: Protein for animal nutrition
- Innovation: Research and development stimulus
Conclusion
The conquest of the Mexican animal meal market represents more than numbers – it symbolizes Brazil’s consolidation as a global agro-export powerhouse. With potential to move $1 billion, this bilateral agreement demonstrates the strength of Brazilian commercial diplomacy and the competitiveness of our agribusiness.
The Agriculture Minister’s statement that “bones become a product to be exported, with added value” perfectly summarizes the philosophy behind this achievement: transforming every production element into a value source.
Next steps include:
- Qualification of 14 new export plants
- Large-scale commercial operations initiation
- Expansion to other derivative products
- Strengthening Brazil-Mexico relations
This commercial victory proves that Brazil can not only compete globally but lead strategic sectors through innovation, quality, and solid diplomatic partnerships. The $1 billion market in Mexico is just the beginning of a new prosperity phase for Brazilian agribusiness.
