Mexico City: Mexico has introduced a new tariff on sugar imports to counter falling global prices and prevent an oversupply in the local market, according to a decree published in the country’s Official Gazette on Monday night.
The new tariff of 156% per kg applies to all types of sugar, including beet sugar and syrups. Refined liquid sugar will be subject to a 210.44% tariff, according to a decree, opens new tab signed by President Claudia Sheinbaum and published in the Official Gazette on Monday night, reported Reuters.
Until now, imported sugar faced tariffs of between $360 and $390 per ton.
Although Mexico is usually not an importer of sugar, purchases from abroad have risen notably over the past three sugar production cycles. This increase was mainly due to poor weather conditions that hurt domestic output and a drop in exports to the United States.
“This tariff structure strengthens protection for locally produced sugar,” said Carlos Blackaller, president of Mexico’s main sugarcane producers’ group. He noted that the higher duty would likely result in “a better price period for Mexican sugar in the 2025/26 season,” which has just begun.
Blackaller added that the move “effectively closes the door to sugar imports into Mexico,” pointing out that the country imported just over one million tons over the last three seasons.
Mexico produces about 5 million tons of sugar annually, with around 4 million tons consumed domestically. The remainder is exported mainly to the United States, which offers higher prices than the global market.
The national sugar industry association, representing mill owners, has not yet commented on the government’s decision.
Blackaller explained that the new 156% tariff is ad valorem, meaning it covers insurance, freight, and other related costs.
