The closure of the U.S. border to Mexican live cattle exports, linked to measures against the New World screwworm, has had an estimated impact of $1.85 billion, according to Mexico’s Meat Council.
Ernesto Salazar, the council’s economic studies and trade manager, said the estimate covers the period since the first suspension was issued in late November 2024. The figure is based on roughly 1.8 million head of cattle that Mexico would have exported during the restriction period.
The estimated impact is equivalent to about 32.09 billion pesos, based on the exchange rate cited by the organization. Salazar said the burden has fallen mainly on Mexican ranchers, who have had to keep cattle that were originally intended for export while covering additional feed, veterinary and operating costs.
Macarena Hernández, director general of Mexico’s Meat Council, said there is still no confirmed date for the full reopening of the U.S. market for live cattle, as Mexico continues efforts to contain and eradicate the pest.
Still, the council noted that the cattle sector has shown some capacity to adapt. Part of the livestock that would previously have been exported live is now being raised, fattened and processed in Mexico, which could create additional value within the domestic production chain.
Source: Expansión
