Mexico's World Cup: Counterfeit goods to score 10 billion pesos for informal sector

Mexican businesses are bracing for a substantial loss of revenue to counterfeit products during the FIFA World Cup, with illegal sales expected to capture a significant market share. Octavio de la Torre, president of the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Concanaco-Servytur), forecasts that formal establishments will generate 65 billion pesos during the 39-day football event.

However, de la Torre warned that piracy could directly impact businesses by approximately 10 billion pesos. This translates to daily illegal sales of 256 million pesos in jerseys, flags, caps, and scarves bearing team logos. The issue extends beyond the mere existence of fake products; it highlights a need to raise public awareness about the economic damage this crime inflicts on the formal economy.

De la Torre suggested that the private sector should review the prices of licensed merchandise, as they are often higher in Mexico than in other regions or countries. "Although the existence of piracy is not justified, we must make an effort to ensure that licensed products are accessible to the average population in our country," he stated.

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In this month of the World Cup, piracy can have a direct impact on our businesses of approximately 10 billion pesos.

The Mexico City Chamber of Commerce (Canaco CDMX) estimates that piracy will generate 400 million pesos in the capital alone, resulting in a loss of 64 million pesos in taxes for the city. In response, the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) conducted operations in the historic center, seizing 80,000 counterfeit FIFA and sports brand items valued at approximately 15.3 million pesos. Further seizures included 65,934 items worth 6 million pesos from Plaza Cristal and 19,000 products near the Mexico City Stadium.

Vidal Llerenas, the general director of IMPI, reported that jerseys are the most frequently pirated World Cup merchandise, accounting for eight out of every ten confiscated items.

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Although the existence of piracy is not justified, we must make an effort to ensure that licensed products are accessible to the average population in our country.