Explore how organized crime is hijacking Mexico’s cargo routes, targeting goods like avocados and auto parts. Learn about the economic impact, rising violence, and industry responses.
Mexico’s supply chain is under siege. What was once routine road freight has turned into a dangerous gamble. From avocados to auto parts, criminals are increasingly targeting cargo trucks, endangering lives and threatening billions in trade.
Let’s dive deep into this growing crisis—what’s being stolen, where, why it matters, and how the industry is responding.
🚨 A Surge in Cargo Hijackings
According to Overhaul, a supply chain risk management firm, Mexico saw 5,239 cargo thefts in Q3 2023—averaging 57 thefts per day. The most targeted commodities include:
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🥑 Food & Beverages – 29%
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🧱 Building Materials – 10%
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🛠️ Miscellaneous (auto parts, electronics, etc.) – 11%
đź“ŤHotspots: The central states of Guanajuato, Puebla, and Mexico State are among the hardest hit. Guanajuato alone accounted for 33% of auto parts theft.
🥑 Avocados: Green Gold Under Attack
Avocados are known as “green gold”, and in Mexico, they’ve become a major target. The U.S. Department of Agriculture temporarily halted avocado inspections in Michoacán, the world’s largest avocado-exporting region, after inspectors were assaulted.
⚠️ Consequences:
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Avocado exports bring in $3 billion+ annually.
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Stolen shipments increase prices for U.S. consumers.
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Farmers and truck drivers now travel with armed escorts.
To combat this, the APEAM (Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico) is investing $12 million into a secure packing and inspection facility.
đźšš Auto Parts & Supply Chain Disruptions
Cargo thieves are also zeroing in on auto parts, essential to Mexico’s booming automotive industry. From bumpers to engine components, these parts are often hijacked en route to U.S. assembly plants.
Industry Impact:
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Production delays in both Mexico and the U.S.
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Millions lost in stolen inventory
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Higher insurance premiums for carriers
🔫 Truckers in the Crosshairs
The human cost is staggering. In Q3 2024, 83% of cargo thefts involved violence. Truck drivers are being ambushed, assaulted, or even kidnapped.
Many drivers now refuse to take certain routes unless security is guaranteed.
Driver Testimony:
“Every time I hit the road, I wonder if I’ll make it home,” says Alejandro R., a veteran long-haul driver from Puebla.
🛡️ Government & Industry Response
The Mexican government launched the Safe Roads Plan, deploying the National Guard to high-crime corridors. Key elements include:
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Highway checkpoints
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Satellite surveillance
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Cross-border security coordination
Meanwhile, logistics companies are turning to GPS tracking, cargo sensors, and private security to safeguard loads.
🌎 Why This Matters Globally
Suggested Image:
Map of trade routes between Mexico and the U.S.
Mexico is the U.S.’s top trading partner, with $800+ billion in goods moving across the border annually. Cargo theft disrupts:
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Supermarket shelves (avocados, fruits)
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Auto production lines
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Retail delivery timelines
âś… Final Thoughts
Cargo theft in Mexico isn’t just a regional issue—it’s a global supply chain crisis. With organized crime escalating their methods and targeting essential goods, the situation demands immediate, coordinated solutions.
If security doesn’t improve, consumers across North America may continue to feel the impact—in price hikes, product delays, and riskier trade environments.
