Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood ingredient (plant protein concentrate)
Market
Mexico is a net importer of protein concentrates and textured protein substances (HS 210610): international purchases were reported at about US$136M in 2024 versus international sales of about US$3.14M. The United States is the main origin, and import activity is concentrated in states including Estado de México, Tamaulipas, Ciudad de México, Jalisco and Coahuila, consistent with downstream manufacturing and distribution hubs for soy-derived protein ingredients used in food processing and supplements.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent market for HS 210610 protein concentrates)
Domestic RoleDownstream user market for soy-derived protein ingredients in food manufacturing and dietary supplement formulations; imports concentrated in key industrial states.
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Specification
Physical Attributes- Codex allows soy protein products to be labeled with their physical form (e.g., powder/granules/bits) when accurate.
Compositional Metrics- Codex CXS 175-1989 defines soy protein concentrate as 65% or more and less than 90% protein (N×6.25) on a dry-weight basis (excluding added vitamins/minerals/amino acids/additives).
- Codex CXS 175-1989 sets a moisture maximum of 10% (m/m) for soy protein products.
Grades- Mexico’s tariff lines under HS 2106.10 distinguish soy protein concentrates by protein-content thresholds (e.g., >50% vs. ≤50%).
Packaging- Codex CXS 175-1989 specifies packaging in suitable hygienic containers to maintain the product dry and sanitary during storage and transport.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Supplier production (often outside Mexico) → cross-border/port entry → customs/COFEPRIS checks as applicable → importer/distributor warehousing concentrated in key industrial states (e.g., Estado de México, Tamaulipas, Ciudad de México, Jalisco, Coahuila) → downstream food and supplement manufacturing.
Temperature- Typically ambient logistics; moisture control is critical to avoid caking and to maintain compliance with compositional/moisture specifications.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Regulatory Classification HighRegulatory classification and compliance can block or delay entry: when soy protein concentrate is imported/marketed for dietary supplements, COFEPRIS indicates a Permiso Sanitario Previo de Importación (PSPI) is required and permits hinge on ingredient and labeling review; non-compliant therapeutic claims can trigger enforcement as a regulated health-supplies product rather than a supplement/food.Decide and document whether the shipment is a food ingredient vs dietary supplement product; pre-validate labeling and claims; prepare PSPI filings and supporting documentation when applicable.
Allergen Labeling MediumMislabeling risk for soy allergens: NOM-051 implementation guidance lists soy among allergens/ingredients that can cause hypersensitivity and requires bold "Contiene" declarations; failures can drive rejection, relabeling, or recall actions.Implement allergen-control SOPs and verify label artwork includes required soy declarations (and "Puede contener" where cross-contact is plausible).
Gmo Policy Social License MediumReputational and buyer-compliance risk tied to GMO soy and land-use impacts: Mexico has a documented history of legal and social conflict around GMO soy cultivation in parts of the southeast, including Supreme Court-driven consultation requirements; downstream buyers may require non-GMO documentation or enhanced sustainability assurances.Offer a segregated non-GMO option where commercially needed; provide traceability documentation (origin, identity preservation) and sustainability disclosures aligned to buyer due diligence.
Logistics MediumImport dependence increases exposure to cross-border disruptions and freight cost volatility: HS 210610 supply into Mexico is dominated by imports (notably from the U.S.), so trucking/rail congestion and rate spikes can disrupt availability and pricing for downstream manufacturers.Dual-source (U.S. + at least one non-U.S. origin where feasible), hold safety stock near key industrial hubs, and use indexed freight clauses for long-term supply contracts.
Sustainability- GMO soy controversies in southeast Mexico (e.g., Yucatán/Campeche) have been linked to indigenous consultation requirements and concerns from honey producers; this can translate into reputational and buyer-driven non-GMO sourcing expectations for soy-derived inputs.
- Policy uncertainty around agrochemical practices (e.g., glyphosate restriction timelines and substitutes) can influence buyer requirements for residue management and sustainability narratives in soy supply chains.
Labor & Social- Indigenous rights and social-license risk: Mexico’s Supreme Court has required consultation of indigenous communities in the context of authorizations for genetically modified soy cultivation in parts of the southeast; suppliers may face heightened scrutiny on community impacts and land-use change.
FAQ
Do labels in Mexico need to declare soy as an allergen when present?Yes. NOM-051 implementation guidance lists “soya y sus productos” among ingredients that can cause hypersensitivity and requires allergens to be declared in bold with a “Contiene” statement at the end of the ingredient list; “Puede contener” is used for possible cross-contamination.
Can dietary supplements in Mexico include protein ingredients such as soy protein concentrate?Mexico’s Reglamento de Control Sanitario de Productos y Servicios states that dietary supplements may be constituted by ingredients including proteins, provided the product does not present a health risk and does not make therapeutic or preventive claims that would reclassify it as a regulated health-supplies product.
Is an import permit required in Mexico for dietary supplements?COFEPRIS indicates that dietary supplements require a Permiso Sanitario Previo de Importación (PSPI), and the authority reviews labeling and ingredients as part of issuing the permit.
Which countries are key sources for Mexico’s imports of HS 210610 protein concentrates?HS 210610 import data show the United States as the main origin for Mexico, with China and Brazil also among significant supplying countries.