Bachoco Exits Stock Market Amid U.S. Drug Probes

Mexico City — Mexican poultry producer Bachoco has withdrawn from the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) without providing detailed explanations, following intensified U.S. investigations into Mexican businessmen, officials, and politicians over alleged ties to drug trafficking. The move has drawn significant attention from Mexico’s political and business circles, as Bachoco ranks among the country’s top five food companies.

End of an Era for Bachoco’s Financial Transparency

Industrias Bachoco S.A. de C.V., a leader in Mexico’s poultry industry and the sixth-largest poultry company globally, announced its complete exit from the BMV in an official notice to investors. The company stated it would prepay its long-term securities, “BACHOCO 22,” and terminate the issuance program tied to them.

This decision concludes Bachoco’s presence in the stock market after it delisted its capital shares from Mexico’s National Securities Registry (RNV) in early 2024. The withdrawal means the company will no longer offer publicly tradable securities or be required to disclose financial reports to authorities or investors.

The prepayment of bonds is scheduled for July 9, 2025, allowing bondholders to receive early compensation. Bachoco has not elaborated on the reasons behind its exit but suggested it aligns with broader corporate strategy. Such delistings have become more common as companies seek operational flexibility and reduced regulatory burdens.

A History of Controversy: Alleged Ties to Organized Crime

Bachoco, owned by Sonora-based brothers Eduardo and Ricardo Bours Castelo, has faced scrutiny for years. Eduardo Bours served as Sonora’s governor from 2003 to 2009, while Ricardo was mayor of Cajeme from 2000 to 2003.

During Eduardo Bours’ administration, his brother Ricardo was accused of orchestrating the 2005 disappearance and murder of journalist Alfredo Jiménez Mota, who was reportedly investigating the Bours family’s alleged connections to drug lord Alfredo “El Mochomo” Beltrán Leyva. Federal investigations at the time also linked the family to the Beltrán Leyva cartel, accusing them of using Bachoco’s poultry trucks to transport drugs.

In 2015, journalist Ricardo Ravelo reported in Proceso that Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (PGR) had investigated Bachoco after authorities seized multiple company trucks carrying drugs hidden among poultry shipments. The report noted that Bachoco ranked among Mexico’s top food producers, trailing only giants like Bimbo and Nestlé.

Official Silence and Future Implications

Bachoco’s departure from the stock market marks a shift toward private operations, reducing public oversight of its financial performance. The company’s statement included a caution about “forward-looking statements,” noting uncertainties such as competition, regulatory changes, and environmental factors.

Founded in 1997, Bachoco’s exit follows a trend of Mexican companies opting for privatization amid increasing legal and financial pressures. The move leaves investors with prepaid bonds but severs ties to the public market, closing a chapter on one of Mexico’s most prominent—and controversial—food industry players.