Edam Cheese Prices Drop in Yucatán as Crisis Eases

Mérida, Yucatán — A month after the Edam cheese shortage sparked a crisis in Yucatán—impacting local delicacies like marquesitas—prices have begun to stabilize, offering relief to consumers and businesses alike. The cost of the Dutch-made Gallo Azul Edam cheese, which had surged to between 800 and 1,800 pesos per wheel in May, has now dropped to 460–500 pesos as of June 2025, according to market surveys conducted by Diario de Yucatán.

The Impact of the Shortage

The scarcity of Edam cheese, a staple in Yucatecan cuisine, disrupted restaurants, street vendors, and households across the peninsula. Vendors reported dwindling supplies as distributor Baroudi struggled to meet demand, forcing some businesses to turn to imitation cheeses to keep their operations afloat.

One of the hardest-hit sectors was the marquesitas trade, where the cheese’s unique blend of creaminess, sweetness, and saltiness is irreplaceable. Without it, vendors faced declining sales, and some feared the iconic snack might disappear from menus entirely.

Why Prices Skyrocketed

In January 2025, a wheel of Edam cheese sold for 350 pesos. By May, tariffs imposed by the United States—where the cheese transits before reaching Mexico—caused supply chain bottlenecks, driving prices up by over 100%. Alicia, a vendor at Mérida’s Lucas de Gálvez market, explained that the delays in shipments from Baroudi exacerbated the crisis.

Current Prices and Market Recovery

As of June 10, 2025, prices have settled at:

• 460 pesos per wheel at Mérida’s San Benito market (the lowest available).
• 500 pesos per wheel at Lucas de Gálvez, Chetumalito, and García Rejón markets.
• 260–280 pesos for half a wheel.

While still 30% higher than January’s baseline, the drop has allowed families and businesses to reintegrate the cheese into their diets and menus. Distributor Gallo Azul México had promised stabilization by June, and the market appears to be recovering as projected.

The Future of Marquesitas

With prices stabilizing, marquesitas vendors expect a return to normalcy. Last month, some resorted to substitutes, but the renewed availability of authentic Edam cheese means the beloved snack is likely to remain a fixture in Yucatán’s culinary landscape.

A Longstanding Culinary Tradition

Edam cheese, introduced during the Porfiriato era, became a regional hallmark. Since 1982, Importaciones Baroudi has been the primary distributor of Gallo Azul-brand Edam in Yucatán, maintaining its status as a key ingredient in dishes like queso relleno—a hollowed Edam wheel stuffed with spiced meat and served in a tomato-and-wheat-flour sauce.

The crisis even spawned a wave of memes, underscoring the cheese’s cultural significance. Now, with supply chains easing, Yucatán’s gastronomy can breathe a sigh of relief.