Agri-food Crisis between Mexico and the U.S.: How Supply Chains are Being Reconfigured

In 2024, Mexico imported more than 1.2 million tons of pork, of which 87% came from the United States. At the same time, Mexican tomatoes represented more than 50% of the fresh tomatoes consumed in that country. This strong agri-food interdependence is being shaken by a tariff conflict that threatens to redesign the logistics map between both nations. Mexican tomato under pressure. Since July 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce canceled the 2019 Suspension Agreement that regulated Mexican tomato exports, accusing producers of dumping. As a result, a compensatory tariff of 17.56% was imposed that directly affects more than 600 Mexican exporters. This not only impacts the final price of tomatoes in the U.S. but also triggers a series of logistical effects: Extra costs in refrigerated storage, Delays at customs, especially in Nogales and McAllen, Risk of losing freshness and competitiveness. Control Terrestre, with strategic presence on key northern routes, is already working with exporters to reduce transit times, optimize load consolidation, and minimize losses due to border interruptions. Mexico responds: tariffs on pork and chicken. In response to this measure, Mexico announced an investigation against imports of pork leg and chicken from the U.S., in an act of commercial retaliation. This turn has profound logistical consequences: Mexico depends 52% on pork imports, Imported chicken meat covers 20% of national demand, The U.S. sends between 40 and 45% of its exported pork to Mexico. If tariffs are imposed, importers will have to: Look for new suppliers in Canada, Brazil, or Chile, Redesign logistics routes from seaports instead of land borders, Adapt their cold infrastructure to different regulations and longer transit times. This is where Control Terrestre enters as a strategic partner. Our team can accompany importers in the transition to new routes and origins, optimizing: Multimodal land transport from ports like Manzanillo or Veracruz, Integration of traceability and inventory management software, Coordination with refrigerated warehouses certified under international regulations. Tension for the national logistics chain. The Mexican logistics system was already under pressure from the e-commerce boom, fresh product demand, and infrastructure challenges. This new conflict adds uncertainty. According to the National Private Transport Association (ANTP), 65% of imported meat in Mexico is distributed by road from the northern border. If origins change, many of these flows will have to be redirected towards maritime terminals and new logistics centers in the Gulf or Pacific. Control Terrestre is already working with operators to: Analyze route conversion scenarios, Implement logistics simulation models, Optimize FTL routes and combined transport to reduce emissions and costs. What will happen to prices? If the conflict continues, the National Agricultural Council (CNA) warns of increases of: Up to 15% in chicken prices, And 20% in pork. This would directly impact Mexican households, especially those with lower incomes. At the same time, it could change consumption patterns: more eggs, more fish, more legumes. Each of these movements requires new logistics capacities, traceability, and specialized storage. Control Terrestre is already adapting its services to support distributors who are evaluating new product lines or restructuring their supplier mix. Strategies to cushion the impact. Here are some strategies that actors in the agri-food and logistics sector can implement with support from partners like Control Terrestre: Diversify import and export origins, Investments in logistics technology (AI, tracking, IoT), Reconfiguration of transport and storage contracts, Design of more efficient routes from new maritime nodes, Logistics alliances between producers, transporters, and logistics operators. Conclusion: from crisis to opportunity. Although this conflict represents a real challenge, it also opens a historic opportunity for Mexico to: Strengthen its food sovereignty, Improve its national logistics infrastructure, And reduce its critical dependence on a single trading partner. In this context, companies that adapt quickly—optimizing routes, investing in logistics efficiency, and diversifying markets—will not only resist: they will emerge stronger. At Control Terrestre, we help our clients navigate these scenarios with strategy, technology, and real solutions. From transport optimization to sustainable route design and load consolidation, we are your logistics ally to face this new stage of agri-food trade.