Pilgrim’s will enable Mexico to replace chicken imports with approximately 373,000 tons per year of domestic production.
The figure is equivalent to 35% of estimated chicken meat imports in 2025, which are expected to reach 1,070,000 tons.
José de Jesús Muñoz, president and CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride Mexico, reported on Thursday that the company will invest $1.3 billion in the country over the next five years, from 2026 to 2030, adding 373,000 tons of chicken annually to Mexican production.
Chicken meat imports to Mexico
The country purchased 1,021,000 tons of this product from abroad in 2021. Prior to Pilgrim’s announcement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had projected that this amount would increase to 1,140,000 tons in 2026.
The chicken meat consumer market in Mexico is large and growing: chicken is the most consumed meat in the country, with approximately 5,150,000 tons in 2025 and 37.9 kg per person per year, due to its low cost, accessibility, and culinary versatility.
In 2024, Mexico produced 4,085,000 tons of chicken meat, according to USDA estimates. The same source estimated that the country produced 3,990,000 tons in 2024 and projected, also prior to the investment announcement, that the volume would reach 4,150,000 tons in 2026.
Muñoz made the announcement at a press conference at the National Palace, alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum and Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard.
Poultry population
The USDA projects that chicken meat production will grow 2% in 2025, reaching 4.1 million metric tons. The momentum comes from domestic demand and greater operational efficiency.
At the same time, various sources anticipate more private investment, which will be key to the sector’s growth. In particular, capital will be directed toward efficiency and biosecurity, thus accelerating expansion.
Finally, the USDA predicts that Jalisco, Puebla, and Veracruz will have the largest poultry populations in 2025. In 2024, the population was around 631 million birds. Of these, 65% were broilers and 35% were layers.