Mexican Cattle Exports to U.S. Remain Far Below Targets

Mexican cattle exports to the United States have recovered slowly since border crossings reopened, with industry and government data showing shipments remain drastically below pre-disruption levels. The Mexican Beef Council, known as Comecarne, stated on Thursday that only 22,000 head of cattle have been exported since trade resumed. The group calculated that this volume equates to an average of 364 animals per day over a period of approximately 60 days.

That daily rate sits 76% lower than the initial government estimate of 1,500 head per day following the commercial resumption. The gap highlights the slow pace of normalization despite the gradual reopening of key land borders. Stricter sanitary controls aimed at containing the screwworm fly have slowed the flow of live animals across the northern border.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recorded 65,409 Mexican beef cattle entering the country between January and October 30, 2026. This figure compares to 228,194 animals during the same period in 2025, representing a decline of 71.3%. The USDA’s weekly report, published this week, indicated that 13,636 beef cattle crossed the border between October 26 and October 30. That number is higher than the 10,647 animals recorded in the preceding week, suggesting a recent uptick in movement.

Mexico’s National Service for Agri-Food Health, Quality and Safety, or Senasica, reported on October 26 that the flow of cattle through enabled crossings was approaching 3,500 head per day. The United States reopened the Douglas, Arizona crossing on August 24. Santa Teresa, New Mexico followed on September 24, and Columbus, New Mexico opened on October 26. All three locations operate with reinforced inspections. The Nogales crossing is scheduled to reopen on November 30.

Comecarne noted that restrictions on live cattle have boosted Mexican meat exports. Beef shipments grew by 20.1% in volume between January and September, while pork exports increased by 15.5%. The council urged officials to define new import quotas for chicken, pork, and beef for 2027 before the end of the year. Current quotas for pork and beef are only 50% to 60% utilized, a factor the group attributed to administrative delays and transportation issues.

These current quotas expire on December 31. Comecarne warned that costs for proteins outside these quotas could rise by as much as 75% for chicken and over 20% for beef and pork. The organization stated that such increases would raise costs for consumers and could impact inflation.