Mexico resumes livestock exports to the US under strict control

Restrictions on the import of Mexican livestock into the USA were introduced due to the spread of the New World screwworm fly. The larvae of this parasite affect warm-blooded animals, including livestock and wild animals. In Mexico, an outbreak of the disease, recorded in November 2024, affected 30 out of 32 states. Currently, there are 1,969 active cases of infection in the country, which is less than half of the figures from a year ago. Despite progress in fighting the parasite, the infection has also been detected in the USA — in the states of Texas and New Mexico. The new export protocol, agreed upon with the USDA, provides for a phased increase in supply volumes. In the first week, no more than 700 head per day will be allowed across the border, in the second — 900, with a subsequent gradual increase to 1,300 head daily. Additional requirements are being introduced to monitor the condition of the animals. All cattle must be equipped with radio-frequency identification tags. Livestock inspection will be conducted using electronic readers and specially trained dogs under the supervision of USDA specialists. During the year the ban was in effect, Mexican livestock producers, who previously supplied about 1.2 million head of cattle to the USA annually, faced a significant decline in income. Domestic sales brought Mexican farmers 40% less profit than export operations. In the USA, the suspension of supplies led to a reduction in market supply, rising beef prices, and forced downtime for some meat processing plants. Representatives of the Sonora state regional livestock union express concern that the new restrictions will slow down logistics and will not fully cover the needs of the industry. At the same time, local farmers are preparing for the resumption of shipments, expecting that the situation will stabilize in the coming months.