Mexico Seeks to Double US Beef Exports Amid Trade Ban
The Mexican Meat Chamber plans to double beef exports to the United States next year to mitigate $1.8 billion in losses caused by a year-long border closure for live cattle. Producers are pivoting to domestic processing as authorities manage over 25,000 screwworm cases across the country.
Mexico aims to double beef exports to the United States next year to offset $1.8 billion in losses from a year-long livestock border closure. The shift follows a screwworm outbreak that has paralyzed live animal trade between the two nations since late 2024. Investors should monitor this pivot from live cattle to processed beef, as it requires significant domestic infrastructure and an 18-month production cycle.
### Pivot to Processed Beef Exports The Mexican Meat Chamber reported that beef exports to the U.S. rose 10.6% in 2025, reaching a value of $2.3 billion. In the first four months of 2026, export volumes for fresh meat increased another 23% as producers sought alternatives to live animal shipments.
