Mexico Removes Import Restrictions on U.S. Beef

It’s been a long time coming —- the Mexican government is in the process of making regulatory changes that will allow for imports of U.S. beef and beef products derived from cattle of any age. This important development lifts the 30-month cattle age limit that has been in place for more than 10 years, and effectively removes the last of Mexico’s BSE-related restrictions on imports of U.S. beef.

U.S. Meat Export Federation Regional Director for Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic, Chad Russell explains that while Mexico was one of the first international markets to reopen to U.S. beef from cattle less than 30 months of age—the removal of the 30 month cattle age restriction took much longer. Russell says removal of these import restrictions are very good news for the U.S. beef industry

Russell: “So having this new option available to U.S. beef industry to export products from cattle over 30 months of age, we think it will be very helpful to maintain our presence in the market and hopefully grow our exports to Mexico.”

Last year Mexico was the second-largest destination for U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports in terms of volume and ranked third in value $925.3 million. Through February of this year, Mexico ranks first in export volume and is a close second to Japan in value at $183 million.