Food Processing in Mexico Current Demand Behavior Analysis¶
Demand Behavior¶
The demand behavior in the Mexican food processing industry can be analyzed by examining its two primary customer segments: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B). While precise counts of individual consumers and businesses are not readily available in the provided data for 2024 and 2025, market size data and industry growth trends offer strong indicators of demand volume and evolution.
Detailed report on the number of individual and business consumers.¶
Individual Consumers (B2C):
The B2C segment comprises the general population of Mexico who purchase processed food products for personal and household consumption. This segment interacts primarily with the Commercialization/Retail stage of the value chain. Mexico has a large and diverse population, estimated at 130 million. Consumers are spread across urban and rural areas, accessing products through various retail channels including supermarkets, traditional stores, public markets, and convenience stores. [Context] The size of this customer base is reflected in the value of the food retail industry, which reached $82.2 billion in 2023. [Context] Mexican consumers spend a significant portion of their income on food, beverages, and tobacco, accounting for 34.6 percent of their expenditure in 2022. While a specific number of individual consumers is not provided, the large population and substantial retail market value indicate a vast B2C customer base.
Business Consumers (B2B):
The primary B2B consumers in the final stages of the food processing value chain are businesses within the Food Service (HRI - Hotels, Restaurants, and Institutions) sector. This segment purchases processed food products as ingredients or ready-to-serve items for their own operations. The B2B segment also includes other businesses like smaller, independent retailers and institutions that may buy directly from processors or wholesalers.
According to data from November 2024, there were 723,285 economic units categorized as Restaurants and other Eating Places in Mexico. In 2022, there were approximately 555,122 food establishments spread across the country. Data from the 2019 Economic Census indicated a total of 612,259 formal and informal foodservice places. The Food Service market in Mexico was valued at $83.13 billion in 2023 [Context], projected to reach $90.43 billion in 2024 [Context, 3]. Independent outlets dominate the Mexican foodservice market, holding approximately 57% market share in 2024, although chained players lead in value sales share.
While the precise total number of all B2B customers (including all types of institutions and independent retailers buying directly) is not explicitly stated, the significant number of foodservice establishments provides a strong indication of the size of this business customer base.
Table showing the growth/decline in the number of customers.¶
Direct data on the growth or decline in the number of individual B2C customers is not available in the provided reports. Population growth trends in Mexico would suggest a general increase in the potential B2C customer base over time, although specific figures tied to food consumption are not provided.
For B2B customers, specifically within the Food Service sector, the number of establishments provides an indication of the customer base size. Data from DENUE 2024 shows 723,285 economic units in Restaurants and other Eating Places, which is an increase from the 612,259 formal and informal foodservice places reported in the 2019 Economic Census and the approximately 555,122 establishments reported in 2022. Furthermore, DENUE data from November 2024 indicates an increase in companies with 0 to 10 employees (76,507 more), 11 to 50 employees (3,502 more), and 51 to 100 employees (35 more) in the Restaurants and other Eating Places category compared to the previous period, while companies with more than 101 employees decreased by 24. This suggests an overall growth in the number of foodservice establishments, particularly smaller ones.
| Customer Segment | Indication of Customer Base Size (Latest Available Data) | Growth/Decline Trend (Based on Market Value/Establishment Count) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual (B2C) | Reflected in Food Retail Market Value ($82.2 billion in 2023). Large and diverse population (130 million). | Market value suggests a large and active customer base. Growth in retail sales (though not explicitly the number of customers) is implied by the overall food processing industry growth and retail market value. |
| Business (B2B) - HRI | ~723,285 establishments (Restaurants and other Eating Places, Nov 2024). | Appears to be growing based on the increase in the number of establishments reported between 2019/2022 and late 2024, particularly among smaller businesses. Market value projections also show growth in the food service sector. |
Note: The table above presents trends based on available data points. The exact annual percentage growth or decline in the number of customers for each segment across 2024 and 2025 is not explicitly provided in the source materials.
References¶
- Industria Alimentaria: Salarios, producción, inversión, oportunidades y complejidad | Data México. (https://datamexico.org/es/profile/subsector/food-manufacturing)
- Inside Mexico's Processed Food Industry - MEXICONOW. (https://mexiconow.mx/article/inside-mexicos-processed-food-industry)
- Mercado de Servicios de Alimentos de México ANÁLISIS DE TAMAÑO Y PARTICIPACIÓN TENDENCIAS DE CRECIMIENTO Y PRONÓSTICAS HASTA 2029 - Mordor Intelligence. (https://www.mordorintelligence.com/es/industry-reports/mexico-food-service-market)
- Mexico Foodservice Market Size & Share Analysis - Industry Research Report - Growth Trends - Mordor Intelligence. (https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/mexico-foodservice-market)
- Report Name: Food Processing Ingredients Annual - USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. (https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/mexico-food-processing-ingredients-annual-14)
- Report Name: Food Processing Ingredients Annual. (https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/mexico-food-processing-ingredients-annual-15)
- Report Name: Food Processing Ingredients Annual. (https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/mexico-food-processing-ingredients-annual-16)
- Cosechando Números del Campo 02: Registra industria alimentaria de México crecimiento de 2.49% en el cuarto trimestre de 2024 | Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural | Gobierno. (https://www.gob.mx/agricultura/prensa/cosechando-numeros-del-campo-02-registra-industria-alimentaria-de-mexico-crecimiento-de-2-49-en-el-cuarto-trimestre-de-2024)
- Restaurants and other Eating Places: Wages, production, investment, opportunities and complexity | Data México. (https://datamexico.org/es/profile/subsector/restaurants-and-other-eating-places)
- Report Name: Retail Foods Annual - USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. (https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/mexico-retail-foods-annual)