The U.S. Department of Agriculture resumed limited cattle imports from Mexico on Monday, marking the first phase of a phased reopening following a ban imposed more than a year ago to contain the screwworm pest. The Douglas, Arizona port was the first to reopen, with exports initially capped at 700 head per day before rising to 900 head in the second week and gradually increasing to about 1,300 head daily.
The USDA plans to open two additional ports in New Mexico within the next two months, including Santa Teresa and Columbus, while additional crossings in Chihuahua may reopen in the fourth quarter of 2026. The phased approach reflects ongoing biosecurity assessments, with the USDA stating that ports may be paused if increased risk is detected in Sonora or Chihuahua through post-opening audits or other observations.
Mexican authorities are accelerating efforts to suppress screwworm populations, including expanded releases of sterile flies. The technique, described by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as modern and effective, is central to the pest-control strategy. As of the latest data, U.S. officials have identified 46 screwworm cases in New Mexico and Texas, with two currently active. In Mexico, Chihuahua has reported 183 confirmed cases since July, while Sonora recorded two cases after its first detection last week.
The USDA and Mexican counterparts have agreed on overlapping safeguards and a science-based import protocol to guide the reopening. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that the USDA had taken every step to protect the American cattle herd and consumers before proceeding. Rollins also noted that Texas ports would remain closed for the foreseeable future due to higher pest activity in that region.
Analysts project that if Chihuahua crossings reopen in the fourth quarter, exports could reach up to 200,000 head of cattle in 2026, with an estimated value of $420 million based on U.S. market prices. For 2027, a base-case scenario anticipates exports of 1.09 million head, valued at roughly $2.1 billion, assuming sustained pest suppression and continued trade normalization.
