The EU-Mexico trade agreement has been renewed, coming hot on the heels of the EU-Mercosur agreement. While Mexico isn’t a top-tier market for Italian cheeses, it still imported 865 tons of Italian dairy products in 2023, worth €8.86 million. Assolatte, the Italian dairy industry body, sees significant potential in the updated terms. Mexico’s market for imported cheeses has grown 44% in five years to 180,000 tons, valued at €820 million—a rise of 88% since 2018.
The United States remains dominant, supplying 83% of Mexico’s cheese imports by volume and 87% by value. Yet, the revised deal offers European producers a foothold in this expanding market. As part of the agreement, Mexico will recognize and protect 340 European geographical indications, including nine iconic Italian PDO cheeses: Asiago, Fontina, Gorgonzola, Grana Padano, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Provolone Valpadana, and Taleggio.
The deal includes an initial quota of 8,500 tons of EU-origin cheeses eligible for duty-free entry, rising incrementally to 25,000 tons by the fifth year.
Concerns over the EU’s reciprocal concession—zero duties on Mexican dairy products—are minimal. Mexico’s dairy industry produces around 600,000 tons annually, barely enough to meet domestic demand, with limited export activity primarily directed at the U.S. and Chile. The numbers suggest an attractive market without serious competitive threats for European producers.