Mexico loses ground in the Agility Emerging Markets Index 2026

Mexico remains a key player in the global logistics architecture, but its drop of one position in the Agility Emerging Markets Index 2026 , developed by Agility Global , from seventh to eighth place , reveals a signal that cannot be interpreted as a mere statistical adjustment. Rather, it reflects the accelerated pace at which other emerging markets are strengthening their logistics, digital, and institutional capabilities to attract investment and consolidate themselves as new strategic nodes in global supply chains.

The index, which assesses 50 emerging economies based on their logistics opportunities, business environment, and digital readiness , shows that countries’ rankings are being redefined based on their ability to adapt to a global context marked by volatility, regionalized production, and digitalization. As the report itself notes, the current environment is characterized by “a competitive landscape marked by shifts in rankings,” reflecting how markets are being reassessed based on their capacity to respond to the new demands of international trade.

Mexico’s setback comes at a time when companies are actively reconfiguring their supply chains. The report notes that “more than 97% of executives say their companies have made or will make significant changes to their production and sourcing through relocation, nearshoring , or regionalization strategies.” This process, driven by geopolitical tensions, rising costs, and the need for resilience, is benefiting multiple emerging markets that have managed to accelerate their investments in infrastructure, connectivity, and digital capabilities.

Mexico maintains significant structural strengths. In the international logistics opportunities sub-index, it ranks third globally , confirming its role as a strategic platform for international trade, particularly due to its proximity to the United States and its integration into North American production chains. However, the index also makes it clear that geographic location alone is no longer sufficient to guarantee sustained competitiveness.

The global environment has become more demanding and unpredictable. The report warns that “uncertainty has increased to an exceptionally high level globally, and is likely here to stay,” a condition that is forcing companies to redesign their logistics networks and prioritize markets that offer greater stability, efficiency, and adaptability.

In this new context, digital infrastructure has become a decisive factor. The report emphasizes that countries integrating physical and digital infrastructure will be “the likely winners in the coming years ,” a statement that reflects how logistics competitiveness no longer depends solely on ports, roads, or geographic location, but also on technological capacity, process digitization, and readiness to integrate artificial intelligence into logistics operations.

Mexico’s drop in the ranking does not imply an immediate loss of its strategic relevance, but it does demonstrate that competition among emerging markets is intensifying . Countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are accelerating their logistics investments and strengthening their operational ecosystems to position themselves as viable alternatives in the new geography of global trade.

The index makes it clear that supply chains are not abandoning emerging markets, but they are becoming more selective. Countries that successfully combine infrastructure, connectivity, digital capabilities, and institutional stability will be the ones to capture future growth. For Mexico, the challenge is no longer solely to capitalize on its geographic location, but to accelerate its logistics transformation to prevent its role as a strategic platform from eroding in the face of faster-moving competitors.

The implicit message of the Agility Emerging Markets Index 2026 is clear: Mexico remains a key player in global logistics, but its leadership is no longer guaranteed . In a global economy where resilience, digitalization, and operational efficiency define success, maintaining its position will depend on its ability to evolve at the same pace as the transformation of international supply chains.

Latin America, a mixed outlook

The performance of the rest of Latin America presents a mixed picture, with some countries making significant progress while others face structural setbacks. Brazil ranked tenth globally , solidifying its position as the second-best performing Latin American market, driven by improvements in its business environment and the protection of contractual rights—factors that strengthen its attractiveness for logistics investment. Its progress reflects the impact of institutional reforms aimed at increasing operational certainty.

Chile , for its part, ranked 13th, maintaining its position as one of the most stable markets in the region thanks to its institutional strength and the reliability of its business environment. In contrast, Colombia fell to 23rd place, highlighting the challenges it faces in strengthening its logistics competitiveness in an increasingly demanding international environment, where operational efficiency and infrastructure have become determining factors.

Further down the rankings are Peru in 26th place and Argentina in 29th, both reflecting limited progress compared to the dynamism of other emerging markets. Uruguay , in 17th place, stands out as one of the best-positioned in the region in terms of operational stability, while Paraguay, Ecuador, and Bolivia occupy intermediate and lower positions, highlighting the structural gaps that still limit their logistical development. Overall, the regional performance confirms that Latin America remains relevant in the reconfiguration of supply chains, but it also exposes the growing global competition to attract investment and consolidate itself as a strategic logistics platform.