ANALYSIS: Mexico’s Feeder Cattle Exports Post-Suspension in 2025

Mexico’s feeder cattle exports to the United States in February 2025, after trade resumed, totaled 23,816 head, a sharp decline compared to February 2024’s 110,511 head and February 2023’s 98,906 head, according to recent data..

By mid-March 2025, exports reached 15,023 head, significantly lower than the full-month totals of 135,687 head in March 2024 and 137,001 head in March 2023. With exports still being recorded for the second half of March 2025, volumes may increase, but they are unlikely to approach the levels seen in the previous...

ANALYSIS: Mexico-US Cattle Trade Suspension Impact

The US Department of Agriculture suspended Mexican cattle imports in late November 2024 after detecting New World Screwworm in Southern Mexico. This finding triggered immediate trade restrictions, resulting in estimated losses of roughly 270,000 head through January 2025. December-January trade historically represents 15% of annual cattle movement between both nations. After more than two months of suspended operations and extensive protocol reviews, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) worked with Mexican authorities to establish comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment procedures...

ANALYSIS: 2024 Mexican Beef Export Dynamics

The Mexican beef export market throughout 2024 reflected the complex interplay of macroeconomic factors and trade dynamics, resulting in significant shifts in export patterns and market behavior.

Currency movements played a pivotal role in shaping market dynamics, particularly during the first half of the year when the Mexican peso showed unprecedented strength, reaching MXN 16.43 per USD, a level not observed since 2015. This currency appreciation created challenging conditions for export operations, as it effectively reduced the competitive advantage of Mexican beef in international markets. 

The market landscape underwent a substantial...

ANALYSIS: Impact of the USDA Suspension on Mexico-US Cattle Trade

Mexico, as a key beef exporter to the United States (US) market, faces a commercial landscape influenced by multiple factors, including fluctuations in the peso-dollar exchange rate, domestic market conditions, and international sanitary regulations.

During the first half of 2024, the strengthening of the peso against the dollar reduced the competitiveness of Mexican exports, as domestic market prices surpassed those available in the US market. However, in the second half of the year, the strengthening of the dollar boosted exports by offering better returns for producers...

ANALYSIS: Divergent Pricing Strategies for Mexican Export Short Loins

The Mexican export market has shown contrasting positions regarding the negotiation of short loin prices with the U.S. market. On one hand, some sellers have chosen to negotiate material at lower prices, responding to the historically seasonal decline in short loin prices starting in June and avoiding the risk of holding material that could depreciate even more in the future. On the other hand, there is an opposing stance that directly responds to current market trends. Observing the U.S. boxed beef market, short loin prices have shown a...