Meat supplies to the US and Canada will increase by up to 12% due to the World Cup

According to the director of ANETIF, this event represents an opportunity to boost the development of the meat sector in Mexico.

Raúl Riquelme, Director General of the National Association of Federal Inspection Institutions (ANETIF), stated that the 2026 World Cup will be an economic driver for North America, increasing exports to Canada and the United States by 5-12 percent.

“The World Cup represents an excellent opportunity to stimulate growth in Mexico’s meat sector, both in terms of domestic consumption and exports, especially to North America,” the businessman stated.

He added that the Mexican meat industry is prepared to meet the demand generated by the World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

During the World Cup, consumption of Mexican meat products will be concentrated in fast food establishments, bars, restaurants, and homes.

He noted that, in collaboration with export partners and the National Association of Supermarkets and Department Stores (ANTAD), a wide range of diverse products will be sold, always bearing the TIF seal, synonymous with safety, reliability, and hygiene.

The 130 companies affiliated with ANETIF have prepared to meet the needs of spectators at such sporting events, offering ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat meat products, braised pork dishes for the grill (ribs or ribeye), as well as select cuts of meat and certified meat.

During the sporting event, demand is expected to increase for sausages, chorizo, longaniza, arrachera, ribeye, T-bone steak, spare ribs, beef, pork, and chicken of all kinds, as well as meat snacks such as jerky and dried meat delicacies, the ANETIF director commented.

In 2025, the Mexican meat market generated over 505 billion pesos, with per capita consumption reaching a record high of 85.3 kilograms.

Chicken leads the Mexican market in sales, followed by pork and beef, all purchased in convenience stores and supermarkets.

The World Cup will boost sales in supermarkets and convenience stores, with the projected economic impact reaching up to 30 percent, according to the ANTAD news agency.

“This phenomenon directly increases regional retail volumes by 20-25 percent and match-day beverage and snack sales by up to 35 percent,” Riquelme said.

The World Cup will benefit Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, as “visitation to restaurants and bars in June and July is expected to significantly increase meat consumption.”

The director added that the World Cup will pose challenges for the meat industry, such as preventing food waste in the restaurant and hospitality sector, as well as controlling food demand, effectively managing the cold chain and logistics, and meeting sanitary and regulatory standards.

Tags: Canada, meat, USA