Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (powder/flakes/strips)
Industry PositionFood additive / hydrocolloid (gelling agent)
Market
Agar (agar-agar; HS 130231 / INS 406) is used in Mexico primarily as an imported hydrocolloid for food manufacturing (gelling/thickening/stabilizing) and for laboratory/media applications. Trade data sources indicate Mexico is an importing market for agar-agar and also records outbound shipments, consistent with redistribution and/or re-export activity rather than a clearly documented domestic extraction industry. In 2024, Mexico’s recorded international purchases were concentrated in Mexico City and Jalisco, with key origins including Chile, Italy, China, Morocco, and India. Market access risk is driven more by COFEPRIS sanitary import authorization and lot-level conformity documentation than by cold-chain constraints because agar is a shelf-stable dry ingredient when properly packaged.
Market RoleImporter and re-exporter (trade hub) for agar-agar (HS 130231)
Domestic RoleFunctional gelling/thickening ingredient used by food manufacturers and laboratories in Mexico; supply is import-reliant in available trade datasets
Market GrowthMixed (2017 vs 2023 comparison (trade, not consumption))Trade values fluctuate by year in available UN Comtrade/WITS series
Specification
Physical Attributes- Commercial forms include bundles/strips, cut/flaked, granulated, or powdered agar; powdered agar is typically white to pale yellow.
- Insoluble in cold water; soluble in boiling water (per JECFA identification characteristics).
Compositional Metrics- JECFA purity: loss on drying not more than 22% (105°C to constant weight).
- JECFA purity: total ash not more than 6.5% (dried basis); acid-insoluble ash not more than 0.5% (dried basis).
- JECFA purity: foreign insoluble matter not more than 1%.
- JECFA heavy metals: arsenic not more than 3 mg/kg; lead not more than 5 mg/kg.
- JECFA: starch and dextrins not detectable; gelatin/other proteins not detectable.
- JECFA microbiological criteria: total plate count ≤ 5,000 colonies/g; yeasts & moulds ≤ 500 colonies/g; coliforms negative; Salmonella negative.
Grades- Food-grade agar commonly references Codex/JECFA identity and purity specifications (INS 406) supported by a lot-specific certificate of analysis (COA).
- Laboratory/bacteriological agar is typically specified by gel performance and microbiological suitability in addition to food-grade purity parameters (application-dependent).
Packaging- Moisture control is critical in packaging and warehousing to maintain conformity with JECFA loss-on-drying limits; use sealed moisture-barrier inner packaging for powder/flakes/strips.
- Lot integrity and traceability are commonly supported by outer cartons/drums plus inner liners, with COA retained for import clearance and customer QA.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas agar processor (INS 406) → export pack & COA → international freight → Mexican customs broker filing → COFEPRIS sanitary prior import permit/notice process (as applicable for foods/additives) → importer/distributor → food manufacturer and/or laboratory supply chain
Temperature- Typically handled as an ambient-stable dry ingredient; protect from heat/moisture extremes that can cause caking or quality deterioration.
- No routine cold-chain requirement when shipped and stored dry in sealed packaging.
Atmosphere Control- Humidity control and sealed packaging reduce moisture uptake risk during ocean freight and warehousing.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is primarily limited by moisture ingress, contamination control, and packaging integrity rather than by temperature-sensitive spoilage.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighCOFEPRIS sanitary prior import authorization/notification requirements for foods, raw materials, and additives can block or delay customs clearance if the product is misclassified (e.g., food ingredient vs laboratory material), if the wrong modality is used, or if required sanitary documents and lot analyses are missing or inconsistent.Before booking shipment, confirm the correct Mexico tariff fraction and COFEPRIS modality; prepare a complete dossier including COA and per-lot physicochemical/microbiological analyses, and file through the appropriate COFEPRIS/VUCEM workflow with an experienced customs broker.
Food Safety MediumAgar quality failures (e.g., heavy metals or microbiological nonconformity) can trigger rejection by industrial buyers and/or regulatory holds; JECFA specifications include limits for arsenic and lead and specific microbiological criteria.Contract to JECFA/Codex-aligned specifications; require accredited lab testing per lot (including arsenic, lead, and microbiology) and retain COA/traceability for COFEPRIS and customer QA.
Supply Chain MediumMexico sourcing relies on imported agar from a limited set of global supplier origins; disruptions in seaweed raw material availability, processing capacity, or trade routes in origin countries can create shortages or price volatility for Mexican users.Dual-source across multiple origins used by Mexico trade flows; keep safety stock for critical formulations; qualify alternates (e.g., carrageenan/other hydrocolloids) where formulation permits.
Logistics LowAlthough agar is a dry, ambient-stable ingredient, moisture ingress and packaging damage during ocean freight and warehousing can cause caking and quality degradation and may create documentation disputes if net weight or quality parameters drift.Use moisture-barrier packaging with desiccant where appropriate; specify container handling and humidity controls; inspect on arrival and document packaging integrity for claims management.
Sustainability- Seaweed sourcing sustainability: supplier due diligence is relevant where agar raw material is derived from wild-harvest or aquaculture seaweeds; screen for responsible harvesting practices and ecosystem impacts.
- Traceability to harvesting area and processor is increasingly used in sustainability screening for seaweed-derived hydrocolloids supplied into food and laboratory value chains.
Labor & Social- Seaweed supply chains can involve informal coastal labor in harvesting/handling; buyer social-compliance screening is relevant even when Mexico is an importing market.
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used to classify agar-agar for trade into Mexico?Agar-agar is classified at HS 130231 in the UN Harmonized System. In Mexico, it is commonly mapped to an 8-digit tariff fraction for agar-agar (e.g., 1302.31.01) in sanitary import-related classification lists.
What Mexico regulatory step is most likely to delay an agar shipment at import?The most common blocker is missing or incorrect COFEPRIS sanitary import authorization/notification for the specific modality and intended use (food ingredient vs other use), especially when the dossier lacks required sanitary documents and per-lot physicochemical and microbiological analyses.
What quality parameters are typically referenced for food-grade agar conformity?JECFA specifications for agar (INS 406) include limits for moisture (loss on drying), ash, foreign insoluble matter, arsenic and lead, plus microbiological criteria (e.g., total plate count and absence of Salmonella/coliforms). Importers commonly request a lot-specific COA demonstrating conformity to these parameters.