The Mexican market is interesting for several reasons. With tariffs on equipment in the US, not on the products produced, Mexican and Canadian printers will have an unforeseen advantage in selling into the US. But with the uncertainty of tariffs, the more interesting number is that, from 2000 to 2010, the Mexican middle class grew by 17%, and the richer a population gets, the more it needs print—both commercial, packaging, and labels.

Mexico has 1/3 the population of the US but a considerably lower GDP, reflecting lower salaries and lower general operating costs. Many American companies are established in Mexico and take advantage of these market conditions.

The Mexican market is interesting for OEMs in the printing industry because it is still a growing market, and with some of the same challenges as in the US - labor, consistent quality, sustainability - the need for technology that can deliver is growing. Robots, workflow/automation, and speed are as significant for many as ever.

Mexican printing companies are increasingly investing in modern/new printing technologies (digital inkjet, large-format, automation) rather than relying solely on second-hand equipment — driven by rising demand for packaging and labels, e-commerce, and the need for short-run/customised work.

Mexican printers are installing the latest presses (e.g., Heidelberg Cartonmaster CX 145, Fujifilm Revoria PC1120) and actively exploring AI/automation, as reported by Revista El Impresor in July 2025 and July 2022.

FACTS MEXICO

• Capital: Mexico City
• Population: ~133.4 million (IMF “At a Glance”).
• Currency: Mexican peso (MXN)
• Primary time zone: Central Time (UTC−6; daylight saving varies by state)

Economy

• GDP (current, 2024): US$1.85 trillion.
• GDP per capita (current, 2024): ~US$14,158.
• Growth outlook (real, 2025): ~0.1–1.0% (Banxico near-zero; IMF ~1.0%); ~1.4–1.5% in 2026 (IMF/Reuters).
• Inflation (2025 proj.): ~3.9% (IMF).
• FDI: US$36.9 bn in 2024 (record); Q1-2025 record US$21.4 bn amid near-shoring.
• Key drivers: Manufacturing tied to US supply chains, automotive/transport equipment, packaging; risks from US trade/tariff policy and infrastructure gaps.

Printing & Packaging Industry

• Industry bodies: CANAGRAF
• Commercial printing market size (2024–2025):
• US$10.8 bn (2024), CAGR ~2.7% to 2033 (IMARC), or
• US$4.15 bn (2025), CAGR ~2.3% to 2030 (Mordor). (Different scopes/methods.)
• Labels: ~US$1.31 bn (2025), CAGR ~4% to 2030.
• Packaging leaders active in Mexico:
  Smurfit WestRock (Smurfit Kappa + WestRock; includes Grupo Gondi operations), Bio Pappel, Envases Universales, Vitro.
  
  
• Large printers & state printers: Quad/Graphics de México (Toluca), RR Donnelley (RRD) Mexico (including San Jerónimo supply-chain/print), IEPSA (Impresora y Encuadernadora Progreso – textbook & book printing), Talleres Gráficos de México (federal secure/state printing).

Largest Print Media (publishers & titles)

• Largest newspaper group: Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM) — ~70 dailies nationwide (e.g., El Sol de México, La Prensa, ESTO).
• Major national dailies (print brands): El Universal, Reforma, Milenio, Excélsior, La Jornada; mass-market tabloids El Gráfico, La Prensa. (Circulation snapshots show Reforma ~132k, El Universal ~130k; tabloids higher.)
• Business magazines/groups: Grupo Editorial Expansión (Expansión, Quién, etc.).

Additional Notes

• Near-shoring continues to boost packaging, labels, logistics, printing, and US-facing supply-chain work.
• Government/state printing remains significant via IEPSA and Talleres Gráficos de México (textbooks, secure docs).