Mexico-US cattle trade is set to resume on August 24 after a yearlong suspension caused by concerns over the New World screwworm. However, Mexican ranchers will face strict U.S. controls designed to prevent the flesh-eating parasite from spreading across the border.
The reopening offers hope to cattle producers in northern Mexico and could also ease pressure on the U.S. beef market. However, tighter inspections and shipment limits are expected to slow exports at first.
Mexico prepares to restart cattle exports
At daybreak in northern Mexico, rancher Martín Alfonso Ibarra takes advantage of cooler temperatures to care for his cattle and 16 prized calves. He hopes to sell the animals in the United States once trade resumes.
The U.S. halted Mexican cattle imports because of concerns over the New World screwworm. The parasite can infest warm-blooded animals and cause severe injuries when its larvae burrow into wounds.
The suspension hurt both countries. Mexico lost an important livestock export market, while U.S. ranchers faced tighter cattle supplies and consumers dealt with record beef prices.
Now, the United States plans to reopen livestock imports from Mexico on August 24 through the Douglas, Arizona, border crossing.
New screwworm controls will limit shipments
The reopening will not immediately restore normal trade levels. U.S. authorities will introduce a gradual system for cattle shipments.
During the first week, officials will allow up to 700 cattle to cross each day. That number will increase to 900 during the second week before gradually reaching 1,300 cattle per day.
The new rules also require Mexican cattle to carry radio-frequency identification tags. Officials will scan the animals electronically and use trained dogs during inspections.
U.S. Department of Agriculture officials will also inspect the cattle before they enter Arizona.
These measures aim to reduce the risk of screwworm entering new areas while allowing livestock trade to restart.
Screwworm outbreak remains a concern
Mexico first detected the screwworm outbreak in November 2024. Since then, the parasite has spread across most of the country.
Authorities recently reported the first case in Sonora, a key cattle-producing state near the U.S. border. Officials say Mexico currently has 1,969 active cases.
Although that figure represents a significant decline from the previous year, authorities warn that eliminating the parasite will take time.
The United States has also detected cases in Texas and New Mexico, increasing pressure on officials to maintain strict border controls.
Mexican ranchers face major losses
The export suspension caused serious financial problems for ranchers in northern Mexico.
Before the ban, Mexico exported about 1.2 million cattle to the United States each year. When the border closed, many ranchers had to sell their animals in Mexico instead.
Domestic buyers often paid nearly 40% less than U.S. buyers. As a result, some producers reduced spending, sold part of their herds or delayed investments.
For ranchers such as Ibarra, the reopening therefore brings cautious optimism.
However, the new shipment limits mean producers will not immediately return to previous export levels.
U.S. beef market also feels the impact
The livestock shortage has affected the U.S. meat industry as well.
American ranchers have struggled to replace the cattle previously supplied by Mexico. The shortage has contributed to pressure on feedlots and some meat-processing operations.
Meanwhile, consumers have faced exceptionally high beef prices. Some households have responded by buying less meat or choosing cheaper alternatives.
The return of Mexican cattle could eventually improve supply. Still, the initial restrictions mean the impact will likely develop gradually.
Ranchers remain cautiously optimistic
Mexican officials and cattle producers welcomed the reopening, but many remain cautious.
Juan Carlos Ochoa, president of the Regional Livestock Union of Sonora, said ranchers need authorities to focus on technical solutions rather than political tensions.
For Ibarra, the priority is simple: getting his cattle back into the U.S. market.
He plans to wait until October before becoming too optimistic because his calves need to gain enough weight before they can be sold.
For now, the reopening marks an important step for the Mexico-US cattle trade. Yet the screwworm threat means both countries will continue watching the livestock border closely.
