🔎 ZOOM ON... // LPO, organic agriculture in Mexico

Overview of the sector

In 2022, the Mexican market represents:

• More than 25,000 certified producers ₁,
• More than 177,000 hectares planted ₂,
• Double digit growth over the last 3 years in terms of products sold.

Michoacán (avocado), Jalisco (agave), Chiapas (coffee, mango), Veracruz (coffee, citrus), Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa are the states with the most organic operators.

₁;₂ Source: SENASICA, 2022

What is the purpose of LPO certification?

The LPO (Mexican Law of Organic Agriculture) allows the sale of organic products in Mexico.
The new version of the LPO has several features :

1. The import of organic products has become regulated to enforce the LPO
2. For organic products that are sold in Mexico, it is mandatory to have LPO certification or equivalent organic certification (none at this time).
3. Certification or renewal of LPO certification is granted through an on-site audit.

Prior to this 2021 update, certified organic products (NOP, EOS, etc.) were accepted in Mexico under organic names: it was not mandatory to have an LPO certificate. Today, an LPO certified product in Mexico offers consumers guarantees verified by their national law, without misleading communication.

More information on the possible situations on the image below

The stakes of the standard :

• Protect the environment and the climate
• To preserve the fertility of soils
• To maintain biodiversity
• Respecting natural cycles and animal welfare
• Not using synthetic chemicals or GMOs
• Give a transparent labeling for the consumer

LPO organic regulations on the Mexican government website: Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria

What is re-certification?

It is a facility offered by the Mexican law for imported products.

It allows the endorsement of certificates of another organic standard (NOP, CE, etc.) in the first steps of the certification chain (e.g. primary production), to certify only the last step outside Mexico. Recertification is granted through an on-site audit and approval of the current organic certificates.

Key figures LPO X Ecocert

• Present in Mexico since 2016
• Ecocert certifies LPO in 17 countries
• Accredited by the Mexican authorities and certifying LPO since 2018
• Main certifier of aloe vera

An evolving certification

Before 2022, foreign organic products could not display the LPO logo. It is now possible, with the introduction of the new logo! This evolution goes in the direction of a clarification for the consumer, as well as a more transparent presentation of the certification.

Why choose Ecocert in Mexico?

Stéphane Romero-Cortell, Ecocert Mexico Director: "Ecocert guarantees you the ability to certify the Mexican standard anywhere in the world, with local resources in most cases. Thanks to us, you will be able to meet your organic markets in Mexico!"

Watch his interview on organic farming in Mexico on our Youtube channel!

Follow the news of the Ecocert Mexico subsidiary on LinkedIn

Contact the teams on site: office.mexico@ecocert.com

LPO = Ley de los Productos Organicos