29 June 2016

1 minute read

North America

The announcement was made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.

Mexico closed to Canadian beef in May 2003 when Canada discovered its first domestic case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Mexico re-opened to beef from cattle under-30-months (UTM) of age later that year, but remained closed to beef from over-30-month (OTM) cattle and some UTM offal.

“Averaging more than $130 million annually during the past five years, Mexico has ranked consistently as one of Canada’s top three export markets for beef and veal products,” said Canadian Meat Council Executive Director Jim Laws. 

It is estimated that the resumption, effective from 1 October 2016, of full access for beef and veal products to the Mexican market will result in incremental sales valued at $10 million annually for Canadian livestock producers and meat packers, the CMC said. Incremental value occurs when a new export market, in this case Mexico, is prepared to pay more than current destinations for certain products.

Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) President Dan Darling said the 1 October effective date is particularly important in terms of timing as it provides producers with an expanded export opportunity for over-30-month (OTM) beef.

“The months of October and November are traditionally the time of year when Canadian beef farmers send most of their mature breeding cows to market,” Mr Darling said.

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