International News: Beef prices surge as Mexico resumes cattle exports to U.S.

By Zoila Palma:  Mexico has resumed live cattle exports to the United States after nearly two years of restrictions linked to an outbreak of flesh-eating screwworm, bringing some relief to Mexican ranchers while concerns over the pest and rising beef prices continue on both sides of the border.

Hundreds of cattle crossed from Agua Prieta in Sonora into Douglas, Arizona, on Monday after undergoing several hours of inspections by Mexican and U.S. authorities, the LA Times reports.

Dogs were used to inspect the animals and determine whether they showed signs of screwworm infection before the cattle were cleared for entry.

Screwworm is caused by the larvae of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, which can infest open wounds or body openings in warm-blooded animals, including humans.

The larvae feed on living tissue, causing increasingly deep and painful wounds.

The pest arrived in Mexico in November 2024 and has since spread to 30 of the country’s 32 states, while cases have also been reported in Texas and New Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum welcomed the resumption of exports, as her administration outlined measures to contain the outbreak.

These include strengthening cattle-tracing systems and continuing the release of sterile flies in major cattle-producing border states such as Sonora and Chihuahua. Mexico currently has 1,937 active screwworm cases, according to the information provided.

The United States has approved a new protocol for the resumption of trade, requiring cattle to carry radio-frequency identification tags and using scanners to track the animals.

Cattle shipments into Arizona will initially be limited to 700 head per day, increasing to 900 next week and 1,300 the following week.

Despite Mexico having hundreds of cattle ready for export, the restrictions are expected to slow the recovery of the U.S. cattle industry, which is facing its lowest herd numbers in 75 years and an estimated shortfall of 1.2 million cows—contributing to a sharp increase in beef prices.

The post International News: Beef prices surge as Mexico resumes cattle exports to U.S. appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.