Queso de Bola Shortage Hits Yucatán: Prices Double

Yucatán, Mexico — Residents and visitors in Yucatán are facing a shortage and steep price increases for queso de bola, a key ingredient in regional dishes such as marquesitas, empanadas, stuffed cheese (queso relleno), and cakes. The scarcity, reported over recent months, has led to significant price hikes, with some establishments now charging double the previous cost.

Supply Chain and Customs Delays Drive Crisis

Claudia González Góngora, president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (CANIRAC) in Yucatán, confirmed the shortage and attributed it to logistical challenges involving the Dutch brand Gallo Azul. The cheese does not arrive directly in Mexico but makes stops in the U.S., complicating distribution. González Góngora also cited customs delays and currency exchange rates as contributing factors, as the product is priced in dollars rather than pesos.

Previously sold for around 400 pesos, queso de bola now costs between 700 and 800 pesos in some locations. The issue has also affected neighboring Quintana Roo.

Temporary Solution and Projected Timeline

González Góngora urged consumers to consider locally produced alternatives while distributors work to resolve the supply disruption. She estimated that the shortage could persist until late June, when prices and availability may stabilize.

The situation has drawn attention on social media, with consumers expressing frustration over the scarcity of the imported cheese, a staple in Yucatán’s culinary traditions.