Mexico calls on the US to revise sugar import restrictions

Mexico’s sugar industry is urging the United States to remove restrictions on Mexican sugar imports and is considering filing an anti-dumping complaint against U.S. high-fructose corn syrup. The issue is gaining importance ahead of the review of the USMCA trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The dispute stems from a sharp decline in Mexican sugar exports to the U.S. According to industry representatives, shipments that once averaged around 1 million tonnes annually could fall to just 180,000 tonnes this season. Producers argue that U.S. quota and tariff policies have significantly limited Mexico’s access to one of its most important export markets.

The export downturn has created a surplus of sugar in the domestic market, putting downward pressure on prices and forcing producers to sell part of their output to alternative destinations at lower returns. At the same time, Mexican producers point to what they see as unequal trade conditions, as U.S. high-fructose corn syrup continues to enter Mexico without tariff barriers.

In response to industry concerns, Mexico has already strengthened protection of its domestic market by introducing higher duties on certain imported sugars and syrups. Industry groups warn that if negotiations with Washington fail to produce results, they may seek an anti-dumping investigation into fructose imports.

Analysts note that the dispute extends beyond the sweetener market and has become a broader test of North American trade relations. For Mexico, the issue involves not only export opportunities but also employment and economic stability in sugarcane-growing regions, while the outcome of the talks could send an important signal to other Latin American countries about access to the U.S. market.

Tags: sugar, USA, restrictions, Mexico