Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried common bean (frijol) in Mexico is a staple pulse with significant domestic production and high household consumption. Supply is primarily domestic but can be supplemented by imports in shortfall years, with production concentrated in north/central states and a mix of rainfed and irrigated systems.
Market RoleDomestic consumption market with significant production; intermittent net importer
Domestic RoleStaple food commodity in household diets and foodservice; price-sensitive category
Specification
Secondary Variety- Pinto
- Black
- Bayo
- Peruano/Mayocoba
Physical Attributes- Uniform color and size within the declared market class
- Low foreign matter (stones, soil, plant debris)
- Low broken/split beans
- Free from live insect infestation and excessive insect damage
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control is a primary buyer and storage requirement to limit mold risk and quality loss during storage and distribution.
Packaging- Wholesale: woven polypropylene sacks (commonly 25–50 kg) for bulk handling
- Retail: smaller consumer packs (commonly 0.5–1 kg) in sealed plastic or laminated packaging
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest → field/yard drying → threshing → cleaning/sorting → storage (sacks/silos) → trader/packer → retail/foodservice distribution
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical; moisture protection and dry storage conditions are the key controls rather than refrigeration.
Atmosphere Control- Ventilated, dry storage reduces condensation and pest pressure; sealed packaging supports retail quality where appropriate.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is long when kept dry and pest-free; prolonged storage can increase hard-to-cook risk and downgrade quality.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Sps/phytosanitary HighNon-compliance with SENASICA phytosanitary import requirements or detection of quarantine/stored-product pests in shipments can lead to border delays, mandatory treatment, rejection, or heightened inspection intensity, disrupting delivery schedules and increasing costs.Confirm commodity- and origin-specific SENASICA import requirements before contracting; apply robust cleaning and pest-control programs, and align documents/attestations with importer and broker checklists.
Climate HighRainfall variability and drought in key producing states can cause domestic supply shortfalls and sharp price volatility, shifting Mexico’s import needs and tightening availability for domestic buyers.Diversify sourcing across Mexican producing regions and approved import origins; use forward coverage and quality/price clauses that address crop-year variability.
Logistics MediumCross-border freight cost volatility and border congestion can materially affect landed cost and service levels for dried bean shipments into Mexico, especially for low unit-value bulk movements.Use flexible incoterms and routing options; build time buffers around peak congestion periods; pre-align broker documentation and inspection expectations to reduce dwell time.
Food Safety/quality MediumInadequate drying or humid storage conditions can elevate mold risk and quality deterioration; insect infestation during storage can trigger downgrades, claims, or required treatments.Set moisture and defect specifications in contracts; require pre-shipment inspection and storage-condition controls; implement pest monitoring and, where appropriate, validated treatment plans.
Labeling/compliance LowRetail-pack labeling non-compliance with Mexico’s prepackaged food labeling rules can cause relabeling, delays, or market withdrawal for consumer packs.Validate label artwork and required declarations for the specific pack format and channel before production; retain compliance documentation from the labeling responsible party.
Sustainability- Drought and water availability constraints in major producing regions can drive yield volatility and supply tightness, increasing reliance on imports in deficit years.
- Soil health and erosion risk in rainfed production systems; agronomic practices influence long-run productivity.
Labor & Social- Supplier compliance focus: worker health and safety during harvest, handling, cleaning, and repacking; labor compliance screening is still relevant where smallholder and seasonal labor are involved.
Sources
Servicio de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera (SIAP) — Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER), Mexico — Agricultural production statistics for frijol (beans) by state and season
FAO — FAOSTAT — crops and livestock products (beans) production statistics
International Trade Centre (ITC) — Trade Map — trade flows for beans by reporter/origin (Mexico)
UN Statistics Division — UN Comtrade Database — Mexico imports/exports for relevant HS lines (beans)
Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) — SADER, Mexico — Phytosanitary import requirements and inspection framework for plant products
Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT) / Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México — Customs import procedures and documentation guidance for goods entering Mexico
Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), Mexico — Mexico prepackaged food labeling framework (commonly referenced as NOM-051) and updates as published in DOF