Trade of organic products between the U.S. and Mexico is significant and growing. In 2023, U.S. exports of selected organic products to Mexico totaled more than $233 million, while U.S. organic imports from Mexico during that same time topped $1.4 billion. Since Harmonized Tariff Schedule Codes do not track many organic products, the actual value of organic trade between the two countries is undoubtedly much higher. According to the data that are available, the top five commodities exported in 2023 were apples, pears, grapes, spinach, and lettuce, while the top five commodities imported from Mexico in 2023 were raspberries, tomatoes, avocados, strawberries, and blueberries (followed closely behind by fructose & fructose syrup, cucumbers, blackberries, bananas, and bell peppers).
Importing Organic Products from Mexico. Organic products imported to the U.S. from Mexico must be certified to the USDA organic regulations by a USDA-accredited organic certifying agent. Twenty USDA-accredited certifiers operate in Mexico and there are more than 2,600 USDA-certified organic operations within Mexico’s borders.
Exporting Organic Products from the U.S. As of January 1, 2022, all U.S. organic products exported to Mexico must be certified to Mexico’s Organic Products Law (LPO). Contact a certifier approved by Mexico’s National Service for Animal and Plant Health, Food Safety and Quality (SENASICA) for assistance with requirements for LPO certification and organic exports to Mexico.
Mexico’s Organic Products Law (LPO) & Certification. In December 2020, Mexico announced that organic imports must be certified to Mexico’s LPO or a standard recognized as equivalent beginning June 26, 2021 (this deadline was later extended to January 1, 2022). Mexico has not recognized the USDA organic standards as equivalent, meaning U.S. organic products going to Mexico must be certified to LPO.
Learn more about LPO certification:
- Mexico's Organic Products Law (LPO)
- USDA Foreign Agriculture Service Mexico City’s GAIN reports: May 23, 2023 (pdf) | November 4, 2022 (pdf) | December 21, 2021 (pdf) | December 6, 2021 (pdf) | May 11, 2021 (pdf) | April 30, 2021 (pdf)
- SENASICA-approved certifiers
Mexico Labeling Requirements. U.S. organic products exported to Mexico must be labeled according to Mexico organic labeling requirements. These products may display the USDA organic seal as long as they are certified to the USDA organic regulations and/or the Mexico organic seal as long as they are certified to Mexico’s LPO. Mexico Labeling Requirements (pdf) (in Spanish).
Additional Resources