The United States Department of Agriculture has reached agreements allowing U.S. beef and pork producers greater access to consumers in Mexico and Peru. The deals allow U.S. producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico. They also expand access to fresh and chilled pork markets in Peru. Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association President Dave McCracken says Mexico is already an important market, and this expansion will help increase the bottom line for U.S. cattle producers.
McCracken says he is concerned, however, that if the World Trade Organization rules against the U.S. in the Country of Origin Labeling case, that this deal could be negatively affected very quickly if retaliatory tariffs are imposed as a result of that ruling.
The cattle trade expansion just announced has the potential value of $15 million of live U.S. cattle per year being shipped to Mexico. USDA also expects Peru’s market could generate $5 million each year in additional pork sales.
