Ranchers in northern Mexico are preparing to resume cattle exports to the United States as a year-long ban, imposed due to concerns over the New World screwworm fly, officially ends on August 24. The ban had significantly impacted cattle and beef industries on both sides of the border, contributing to a livestock shortage in the U.S. and affecting Mexico's already strained ranching sector.
Initially, livestock imports will be permitted through the Douglas, Arizona, border crossing. If this process proceeds smoothly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture may authorize additional ports of entry. However, all shipments will be subject to strict restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the screwworm, a parasite whose maggots burrow into warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, pets, and occasionally humans.
The screwworm outbreak was first detected in Mexico in November 2024 and has since spread to 30 of the country's 32 states. Authorities report progress in containment, with 1,969 active cases, less than half the number from a year prior, though eradication is expected to take time.
Under the new U.S. protocols, the number of cattle allowed across the border will be gradually increased. In the first week, only 700 cattle per day will be permitted, rising to 900 in the second week, and eventually reaching 1,300 per day. Each animal will be fitted with radio-frequency identification tags and undergo screening by electronic readers and trained dogs. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials will conduct final inspections before cattle are allowed to enter Arizona.
While Mexico has accepted these protocols, some ranchers have expressed frustration with the restrictions, arguing they will limit shipments and hinder efforts to address supply shortages in both nations. The previous ban led to a significant drop in income for Mexican ranchers, with many selling cattle on the domestic market for nearly 40% less than they would have earned in the U.S. This financial strain forced many to sell off herds or reduce spending and investment.
Before the ban, Mexico exported approximately 1.2 million head of cattle to the U.S. annually, primarily from its northern states. The U.S. cattle industry experienced the effects of the reduced supply, contributing to high beef prices for consumers and impacting feedlot operations and meat-processing plants.