Sinaloa Farmers Request Tariffs on Imported Milk Powder to Protect Local Market
The livestock sector in Sinaloa has expressed growing concern over the increase in milk powder imports and their negative impact on the profitability of local producers. As a response, they have formally requested federal authorities to consider imposing tariffs on this product.
According to the farmers, subsidized or dumped milk powder entering the market disrupts the internal market, causing a depreciation in raw milk prices and threatening the economic viability of numerous Mexican dairy farms. They argue that imported milk powder acts as a supply cushion that, if not properly regulated, puts downward pressure on prices received by local farmers for their fresh milk.
This situation particularly affects small and medium-sized producers, who have less negotiating power and are more vulnerable to market changes. The request for tariffs is seen as a legitimate commercial defense mechanism to restore competitive balance and protect investments in the national dairy sector.
The decision to impose tariffs involves a complex policy balance between protecting primary producers and ensuring affordable prices for consumers and the processing industry. While tariffs benefit farmers by raising the price of imported milk, they could also lead to increased dairy costs or negatively impact large processors dependent on low-cost milk powder for certain products.
The demand from Sinaloa's farmers is rooted in the need to ensure Mexico's food sovereignty. They argue that excessive reliance on imports creates structural fragility in the face of international crises or geopolitical fluctuations. By strengthening internal production through protective trade measures, the country becomes more self-sufficient and less susceptible to global market price shocks.
