Cattle exports from Mexico fell at an annual rate of 41.9% from January to April 2025, affected by the screwworm.

With this, these foreign sales fell to US$280 million, according to data from the Bank of Mexico.

As of November 22, 2024, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented a restriction on the importation of cattle and bison originating in or transiting through Mexico following the discovery of New World screwworm (NWS) in cattle from the Mexican state of Chiapas. 

Cattle Exports

On February 1, 2025, USDA and APHIS resumed beef cattle and bison imports from Mexico under a new protocol, which reduced the flow of feeder cattle. It took six weeks to reach 68% of the previous year’s weekly volume.

However, on May 11, 2025, USDA again suspended imports due to the detection of GBN on remote farms, including in Oaxaca and Veracruz, 700 miles from the border. The suspension will remain in place until significant containment is achieved.

New World screwworm (NWWB) is a parasitic fly whose larvae attack livestock, wildlife and occasionally humans, causing severe damage and even death. Its advance into the United States is of concern.

Currently, the United States relies on Mexico and Central America to stop its migration, but cases have increased, especially since its detection in Chiapas and its spread to Campeche and Tabasco. An outbreak in the United States would severely affect livestock and wildlife, so it is proposed to establish its own facility as a defense against a possible agricultural crisis.

Asian markets

The United States primarily exports cattle to Canada and Mexico, although volumes and destinations vary each year. Between 2020 and 2024, 79% was exported to Canada and 12% to Mexico, primarily feeder cattle.

Recently, new markets for breeding cattle have emerged, including Vietnam, Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.