Cattle exports from Mexico have taken a significant hit, plummeting by 52.3% in the first quarter of this year, according to figures from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico). The value of cattle sales abroad has dropped to $162.8 million, compared to $341 million during the same period in 2024.
The current US border closure, imposed due to a screwworm outbreak on May 11, threatens to exacerbate losses if extended. In contrast, 2024 saw Mexican livestock exports reach their highest value in over a decade, totaling $1.23 billion (305 million pesos), despite initial border closures that began in November last year and were lifted only in February this year.
Agricultural production has played a vital role in Mexico’s economy, enabling the country to avoid a technical recession. The sector showed resilience, growing at an impressive 8.1% quarterly rate, while the industrial and services sectors experienced significant declines of 0.3% and zero percent, respectively, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
The Economic Information System (SIE) of Banxico reveals that cattle exports saw a near-zero value in January this year, followed by $30.7 million in February and just over $132 million in March.
Experts warn that the border closure will severely impact the livestock sector in northern Mexico, which moves more than 5,700 head of cattle daily through Sonora and Chihuahua alone. The National Agricultural Council (CNA) estimates that the suspension of livestock exports results in a staggering loss of $11.4 million per day for Mexico.
The CNA has highlighted the dire consequences of this crisis on the country’s livestock sector, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the border closure and mitigate its effects on the economy.
Source: Excelsior
